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

Happy 23-monthiversary, Liam!

It's your last monthiversary before you hit the big "2"! Enjoy it, baby. We dropped Daddy off at the airport for his race at Lime Rock in Connecticut today. I'm happy that you enjoy sitting and smiling for the camera these days (at least for a little while!). It has been a challenge in the past! :)
We love you very much.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Patriotism

What do you do on Canada Day when you are far from the homeland?

and

What do you do on the 4th of July when it's raining outside?

The happy Canadian family

Advertising our Canadian pride

Before the dreaded haircut

After the haircut. A balloon makes everything better!

The next day, but still celebrating...harvesting our first strawberry! MMMMMMM!

And burritos for dinner. Me encanta burritos!!

And on the 4th...indoor play with ice and water (and Liam practising showing us how old he will be)

Making muffins with Mommy

Liam and Mommy showing off our babies in our bellies (and our aprons!)

We needed to burn off some energy after being stuck indoors, so the bounce house went up!


Look! It fits perfectly!


And what is the 4th of July without a party--off to Jackie's house for the night!

Next weekend: Operation 2nd Birthday Party!! (featuring the return of the bounce house!)

love,

b

Parties, Parks and Road Trips

Liam and Andy at the park pretending to be on a train. Liam was the "chuggachugga" and Andy was the "choochoo!"

Gosh, it's been a couple of weeks since my last posting. So much to say but no time to write! The past couple of weeks have been busy--we had our block party a couple of weekends ago. What a blast! Scott did a triathlon that morning as well and had a great race. We celebrated Father's day together, as well, enjoying a quiet day of hanging out. This past Saturday we went with the Ehler and the Henkle families to A Day out with Thomas the train. Liam couldn't stop talking about it on the days leading up to our outing and has constantly been bringing it up throughout his days since the outing! It was a memorable day! ("Thomas!" "lights!" "aaaallll aboooaaard!" "ticket!" etc.) Tomorrow is Canada Day--Liam has a haircut appointment (oy!) in the morning, then in the evening we are taking a tour of the maternity unit at Clarion North Hospital to prepare for baby's arrival in a month! We've also been spending a lot of time at the parks with friends and Liam has been practising his jumping jumping jumping! This weekend coming is 4th of July weekend, so we have a party on Saturday night and Liam's friend Jake's 2nd birthday party on Sunday. This evening Scott brought home a bicycle for Liam given to him by one of his colleagues whose son had outgrown it. It's a Spiderman bike that matches Liam's helmet! Liam helped Scott adjust the seat and he had a fun time "riding" it.

Liam at our neighbourhood water park

Liam placing his baby in the new carseat.

Liam enjoying a birthday cupcake at the neighbourhood block party.

Liam watching Daddy barbeque burgers.

All of the kids at the block party.

All of the gentlemen at the block party.

And all of the ladies at the block party.

Liam and his Daddy on Father's Day.

Liam with his home-made card and the card he picked out for Daddy.

Liam practising his jumping.

Liam showing off the window decorations for the 4th of July.

Liam's reaction when he first saw Thomas.

Liam, Mommy and Daddy and Thomas. ("tooo close, Mommy!")

Liam and Daddy on the train being pulled by Thomas!

Daddy, Liam and...(gasp)... The Conductor!!!

Liam and his new Thomas train.

We stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch before heading back home.

After a fun day with Thomas, our little boy was just plain tuckered out!

Daddy and Liam adjusting the seat on his new bike.

Liam on his new bike!

We'll be celebrating Liam's birthday early this year with his friends in a couple of weekends so he can have his party (and cake!!) before the baby comes without having to share the spotlight. ;) It's going to be an easy pizza and cake party with toys and games for the kids to play, so it should be fun.

One more month until baby arrives! One and a half months until Liam turns 2! Big changes happening at the Raymond house--we love it! :)

love

b

Happy 22-monthiversary, Liam!!

Hope you had a fun day! We played with your sand table and your little pool today. We also 'bammed it' with the basketball. :)

love,

Mommy and Daddy