Baby Dude

Liam lurves his little brother!

He gives "Baby Dude" kisses and hugs and when I bring Jude downstairs first thing in the morning, it's Jude who gets all of the love, while I have to wrestle a cuddle out of my first-born.

"Kiss...mmmmm!"

But who am I to complain? ;) It's awesome seeing the love grow between my two boys. It may be a bit one-sided right now, but it's inevitable that Jude will idolize big brother Liam in no time and they will become close friends as well as loving brothers.

A dream come true.

love,

b

Birthday Party...take 5! ...or 6? ...um, 7???

Scott's home! Yay! That means more cake! :)

Liam is always thrilled to see Daddy, and knowing that when Daddy comes home we get to again have cake and sing Happy Birthday...with candles...blow out the candles..."phhhhht!" just makes Liam's day!

Man, I'd better get six birthday parties when I turn 2!

Mr. Grumpypants...we joke that he's going to need "preventative Botox" to get rid of those worry lines he has

Smile, little bug!


Daddy and Mr. Jude giving YOU the stinkeye

The Birthday Boy

The flower CCC with icing-of-many-colours

Blow, not spit!!

"I'll take...um...um...um...THIS one!"

Having our cake and eating it, too!

It was only the icing that was consumed. The actual cake wasn't even touched! Note to self for next year...

Getting ready to walk off our blue icing

Peekaboo, Nana!

Driving his birthday present around the neighbourhood--yes, the white Lambo!

That grin was plastered on Liam's face the whole time he was driving and hanging out with Daddy!

Alrighty then. One more birthday celebration down...?? more to go! :)

love,

b

Happy 2nd Birthday Liam!

Liam, two years ago

Liam, today

My big boy has turned 2 years old! What a wonderful thing! Liam is talking more, joking more, pretending more, helping out more, understanding more and just being more of a smart, sweet little boy.

Hm. However, sometimes this smart, sweet little boy is less than thrilled to do what you may ask him to do. Like, oh, sit with Puppy for his picture. So, this is the best we could get.

I am outta here!

I did get a couple of him sitting pretty in that 3 second window of stillness, but one was blurry and the other one makes him look like a big crankmeister crank. Although, when sitting in his new toddler-sized Lamborghini, that's another story.

Wave to your people, Prince William

We had a fun day celebrating Liam's two-ness. We fixed the Lambo, played outside with the water and sand tables, watched the hummingbirds at our feeder, opened presents, went downtown to the toy store to pick out a birthday toy, went to the bakery to pick out mini cupcakes for dessert, ate cupcakes both after lunch and after dinner, napped, played with Liam's new presents, and played at the neighbours' house. The only thing missing was Scott--he was at a race in Wisconsin this weekend, so we're celebrating again on Monday when he's home.

There seems to be a problem with the differential...

Outdoor morning fun, while the weather was still cool

All strapped in for strolling the streets of Zionsville

The Toy Store

Pretty colours!

(and Liam ended up picking the tiny cupcakes at the bottom!! Did you happen to see those yummy BIG ones up there, Buddy?)

Four mini cupcakes for Liam, me, Nana and Poppa (sorry Jude, you're out of luck!) Liam's is, of course, the purple one

That last candle just would not go out, until Liam was able to spit it out. Nice.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Liam's present from the toy store--blocks'n'blocks'n'blocks!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the puzzles and the apron set. We made muffins with them!

Thanks Nana, Poppa and Auntie Catherine for the Mr. Dressup DVDs and the Rainy Day Craft Box full of fun stuff!

Learning how to cut with scissors--Liam did quite well!

Cupcakes (and Happy Birthday to Liam) round 2

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Yeesh. Big brothers are exhausting!

Happy birthday, Liam. We love you very much.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy and Baby Jude

Jude Alexander David

Our lives improved immensely a week ago today. Jude Alexander David joined our family and made us complete.

Scott and I went to the hospital early on Monday morning, August 3rd. We were admitted into the labour and delivery ward at Clarion North Hospital and were settled into our triage room by 5:45 a.m. We were excited, but felt a little strange knowing that in just a few short hours we would finally meet our little baby for the first time. Such a difference from our high-maintenance 38 hours of labour, 2 hours of pushing and an emergency c-section with Liam! Everything was smooth and easy this time around.

Momma Zen

Leading up to the delivery, we filled out paperwork, the nurse put my IV in (after 2 failed attempts and a lovely vagal response--picture Momma Zen almost blacking out after being poked and prodded three separate times for one of her bursting, dehydrated veins...funtimes), and Scott got all dressed up in his soon-to-be-a-daddy duds, I got my spinal meds and we got started.

At 7:53 AM Jude was born.

Dr. Raney and Jude

And we cried tears of joy! Our son was born! What a rush! Not knowing if our baby was a boy or a girl was absolutely thrilling. Especially since both Scott and I were certain it was a girl. And because of this, it was even MORE of a surprise when Jude was born!! When we saw Jude, he was the one. He couldn't have been any other than who he is and our hearts immediately divided in two to welcome our newest child. It was the most amazing feeling in the world.

Love

Dr. Raney, Jude, Scott and Becky, post-delivery

Mommy and Jude bonding on the way to the recovery room

Jude's first bath at the hospital

Daddy and Jude bonding

There are those "textbook perfect" lips that the ultrasound technician was so focused on!

Best brothers meet for the first time

My three handsome boys

Brotherly love

Surrounded by love

Nana and Poppa meet their grandson

Jude and Paulie

Family, complete

Mommy's silly monkey

On our way home

Welcoming our newest family member home

Sweet dreams little one

As he did with Liam, Scott went to pick out Jude's first outfit. In the store, he had about 20 different choices that he liked and it was this beautiful one that won out. (The little shoes are my favourite part! They are just so wee!) Jude also has a blanket that I made out of half of my wedding shawl (Liam has the other half as part of his blanket) and his very own first bear named Paulie. Liam has Puppy which has been his 'grow-with-me' stuffed animal and Liam quickly towered over him. I think Jude will have a tougher time outgrowing Paulie since this bear is massive!

This past week has been wonderful, challenging, and exciting. Liam is in love with Jude, yet still understands that he is sharing Mommy now and that can sometimes be hard. I am so thankful that Mom and Dad are here to help out, especially with Scott gone a lot this month, as it gives me time to spend with both of my boys without having to worry about one not being cared for when the other needs 100% Mommy time, and also about eating, cleaning and all of those other things that would have been pushed aside this past week. They are both a Godsend and I really enjoy sharing this time with them.

Off to continue our adventures!

love,

b