Goderich After the Tornado

I headed back home this past weekend. It was an emotional visit. The town was hit really hard by the tornado and seeing it in person is much different than the pictures I've been mesmerized by all week. I spent a lot of time on the east side of town, not realizing how bad that side had been hit. What got me the most was the houses with spray-painted messages. The families were leaving their mark on their condemned houses. I can't imagine what those people are going through. Our family was so lucky to have been spared any destruction. The town is rebuilding and I have full belief that my aunts and uncles are getting the job done! Goderich might not look the same, but it will still be home.

My cousin has posted some photos of what she saw this past weekend. I didn't take any pictures of where I was in town.

http://mandainto.blogspot.com/2011/08/goderich-one-week-later.html

Tall Baby

Who knows, maybe my baby will be tall :) Mom and Dad are probably quite distant in terms of geography.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/want-tall-kid-try-long-distance-relationship-224006293.html

A Year Old

How did this happen? Where did the time go? My baby is a year old! We had a fantastic party with friends and family and on his actual birthday we were able to celebrate with my mom group and a number of other friends (Christi's pool was prevalent in a number of these celebrations). The little man had a fabulous time, but last night he was not a happy camper. I think he sensed that today was going to be different - the dreaded return to work! I needed some sleep and he was having none of that.

I'm hoping he does well at daycare today as this morning was not looking good.

Almost 10 Months!

I can't believe I haven't posted in two months, time is just flying by. Jude is trying to walk! He needs my help and so we spend most of the day walking around the condo together. He loves chasing the cats. They are not sure what to make of this new development.

He's becoming a little comedian. He thinks he's so funny (well, I think he is too). He is such a happy little guy and I love him to pieces.

I've been able to get back to hot yoga in the last couple of weeks and it has been so great. My friend Kevin watches Jude while my friend Karen and I go and sweat it out. I'd forgotten how much I love it - well, I still can't stand downward dog.

(No photo because it's taking way too long to upload.)

Almost 8 Months!

How did this happen? How is it that my baby will be 8 months old in a couple weeks? Time is flying by. I am quite happy to be getting out for walks again. A couple of moms I met at the local library program are getting together for walks in our area. Jude loves being outside! He's growing every day and I love watching him learn. He could be crawling any day. Right now he keeps going backwards and looks at me like 'why am I not going where I want'. He loves jumping in his jolly jumper. He has soo much energy.

He's a fantastic eater (way better than mom). He's picking up his Cheerios and getting them into his mouth (he does get annoyed when they get stuck to his hands and he can't eat them). He's loving almost everything he's tried (avocado and mango still aren't favs).

He already has 8 teeth and is biting me quite often (they are sharp!). Still trying to figure out how to get him to stop the biting. I just feel so bad for him that every time he starts to get over the last tooth another one seems to be coming in.

(Jude is sporting his green for St. Paddy's Day in the above pic)

Oscars

Well, I'm attempting to stay up to watch Oscar. I had hoped to go to my friend SJ's for her (sort of) annual Oscar party, but the baby doesn't do well being away from home after 5pm. I definitely didn't want to be driving after midnight with the screaming baby.

I couldn't even find enough time to make some Oscar picks for the pool.

I know I should be trying to sleep while Jude sleeps, but I do love the Oscars. I liked the opening, mostly because Michael J. Fox was in it (oh how I loved Back to the Future).

I think Reese Witherspoon is best dressed tonight: I love the hair!

This year I only saw two of the Oscar movies: The Social Network and Toy Story 3. So, it's pretty hard to make any predictions. I really want to see Black Swan, mostly because I love Swan Lake and since I love Colin Firth I really want to see The King's Speech. Hopefully one day soon I have time to focus on movies again (but probably not).

Reflecting

As the year comes to a close I must reflect on the best year of my life. This is the year that brought me my beautiful son, Jude. I can't even express how much my life has changed in so many outstanding ways.

The year included a trip out west to the Vancouver Olympics. It was so great to have two weeks with my brother's family - so great that I was late to a number of events because I didn't want to leave the house and hanging out with my crazy niece.

I learned (once again) how great my friends are. They have been so amazing this year! Whenever I have needed someone they have been there for me. Christi was there for every step of my pregnancy AND every step of the labour! Jude and I will always be eternally grateful for everything she has done for us. I can't wait to meet the newest addition to her family (and I hope that Jude and the newest one will be the best of friends). I don't want to leave anyone out, but I feel that I wouldn't have gotten through that first week without Cara and Sharon who drove many hours to stay with me and keep me sane.

Last but not least, my father has been amazing through this whole year! It's been really tough without my mom, I so wish she could be here to see how amazing Jude is, but Dad has made sure that he's been there for me. Not only was he there for the whole 29 hours of labour, he was with me for most of the two weeks or so leading up to labour (there was much waiting and walking around). I'm so happy that Jude is named after him.

I can't describe how much better my life is now that Jude is here. I am so happy (tired, but extremely happy). He amazes me every day and my heart fills with joy every time he looks at me.

We were chosen to be on the show 'til debt do us part. They were looking for single moms and I applied. I learned so much from doing the show, it was embarrassing but I think well worth it. I don't know when it will air, yet.

Christmas was the best I've celebrated in years! I was lucky enough to celebrate with most of my family (including my brother's family from BC). We traveled around (as we used to as kids) and it was great.

Tonight marks the end of this amazing year and I am sad to see it end, but excited for all of the new adventures that await Jude and I.

Have a very Happy New Year everyone!

Happy Holidays

Jude and I would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! We are very happy to be celebrating with our family - including my brother's family from BC! Lots of snow and lots of family.