Eight Month Old Mungry

Julia, if I had to sum up month eight in a word, that word would be perfecting. This month, you've perfected crawling; sitting; picking up tiny bits of cereal (and other miscellaneous goodies) and popping them in your mouth; and, of course, wrapping Mum, Dad, and Hunter around your little finger (especially Mum).

You're trying a few new things, like pulling yourself up on chairs, dancing (er, kind of), and playing with Hunter's toys (you're figuring out cause and effect - "If I turn this handle, the cow pops up"), but for the most part you're content to perfect your recently acquired skills.

I'm happy to report that this month your relationship with the camera has improved and we are even able to occasionally snap a photo where you're smiling. Clearly, you are starting to realize that crying isn't your only weapon: when you just look cute and smile, good things happen too. I can hardly wait until you figure out the full power of your noggin.

I am more and more amazed all the time at the relationship you and Hunter are developing - I can't imagine two closer siblings. Your face lights up when he is in the room and nobody can make you laugh quite like he can (even though he often does it by sticking his face as close to yours as he possibly can).

Recently, I've noticed that the random comments from strangers about how tiny you are are becoming more and more infrequent. While I'm happy you're growing and thriving, the absence of those comments makes me sad because it hits home that you are not my tiny baby anymore and this time is just moving way too fast. I know, you're probably tired of reading how quickly this time is getting away from us, but it is the one constant month after month. That, and how much I love you (more than words can express and farther than you can dream).

Love you Jules,

Love Mum

Hmm...

Q: How can I tell that Hunter was just visiting with Grandma and Grandpa?

A: This afternoon he was watching the Rider Game. While watching the Rider game he exclaimed "Ugh, another flag?!? Those darn zebras are ruining the game" and, of course, "Touchdown Saskatchewan!!".

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Happy Birthday Grandpa. We love you, you big doofus.

Love Hunter and Julia

On the Wagon

You may have noticed that there have been no ugh posts for quite some time. Initially I quit posting them because I had read a post about weight on my February babies board and was sickened by our almost universal level of obsession with our bodies. If I could find the thread, I'd put a few of the comments up because the body hatred is startling even though it's not all that surprising. I don't think any of us wants to leave this type of legacy with our children but, unfortunately, I'm sure many of us will. I did find, though, that without the posting I wasn't forced to do any checking in with how I'm doing at getting rid of the baby weight in a healthy way (unlike some of the women on my board). Being accountable in writing helps so I'm re-starting the monthly posts. My current update? I'm swimming twice a week, taking mom and baby yoga, and walking with the kids or doing yoga at home when they're napping. So far, I've lost 35 of the baby pounds (it was 40 but the lack of posting/accountability seems to have resulted in a couple of them coming back). Will update again next month, Thanksgiving and all.

Jumping on 102

So, as lazy as I've been with the posting as of late, I've still managed to make it to 102 posts. When another blogger I read posted her 100th post she posted 100 things about herself. Since I'm a shameless idea thief, I figured I would do something similar only it's my 102nd post. Here goes, some random facts in celebration of my 102nd post:

• I'm 31 years old and I can kick, stretch, and kick (this is an SNL reference - Hunter does a great impression of it - one of these days I will u-tube and post it).
• I am a Mum.
• I am a wife.
• I am a daughter.
• I am/was a sister. I'm not sure what is correct here but I had a brother and he is deceased.
• I am an aunt.
• I'm working on my MPA. I feel less compelled to complete it as I am more and more at peace with where I am in my career. At the same time, I want to finish it because I've started it. Look for me to retire and complete my MPA around the same time.
• I love my blog more when I post regularly. It's kind of like going to the gym - the more you do it, the more you enjoy it and when you've been away for a while, well you know. I also find it easier to rationalize not posting when the blogs I read aren't posting regularly either (hint hint).
• I have blue eyes.
• I wear dark-rimmed glasses that make it hard to see what colour my eyes are. I don't know why.
• I'm too chicken to wear contacts.
• I'm intrigued by lazer surgery but am too chicken to consider it right now either.
• I have a slight phobia of mascots (like I usually cross the street to avoid them if I see them). I think my kids may be the cure.
• I like saying my kids.
• I had a palm reading when I was younger and the only thing that sticks with me is that I was going to have three children (I always wanted two). I always thought I would have one child then twins. I used to joke that that would be a nightmare. I feel guilty about that because Julia had a twin that "vanished" at about six weeks. This is common and something we wouldn't have known about except for the technology (see I am justified in being a neo-luddite) of an early ultrasound.
• I often think about what life would have been like had we had two babies.
• I am so grateful for Julia and Hunter.
• I took an aromatherapy course when I was 19. I think I've forgotten nearly everything I knew.
• I worked at two health food stores before I went to University - I still remember enough about herbs and vitamins that I'm not surprised when a study comes out recommending that people start taking certain vitamins.
• I am currently avoiding the Postie (mail carrier). This stems from a recent incident where Hunter was knocking at the door because he had to go to the bathroom and couldn't get in. I was only partially dressed (pants and a sports bra) but weighed my chances of being seen against the likelihood Hunter would have an accident if I didn't get there pronto. The postie was putting the mail in the box at the exact moment that I opened the door (I think we are both scarred).
• I drive a Honda Civic.
• When I was 17 I told myself I would never be a passenger in my car more than a driver, but I find now that I'd just as soon be a passenger most of the time (except on the highway).
• Some day I think I would like to get a pilot's license.
• I like point form better than sentences because it's easier.
• I always mix up when I should use effect and affect.
• I looked up the spelling of indubitably the other day because I am never able to get it right.
• I no longer have tonsils, an appendix, and one of my fallopian tubes.
• No matter how old I get, I still don't like country music. I can take almost anything else.
• When I was little I wanted to be a lawyer, a writer, or a psychiatrist. I think I get to do a bit of all of these things in my job (and at home).
• I'm a policy analyst.
• Hunter did a career craft at pre-school the other day; he said he wanted to be a policeman. When he came home, he decided he wanted to be an astronaut. I love that he is dreaming about his future careers (and that he'll change his mind as much as I did).
• I am terrible at returning calls and emails. It doesn't mean I'm not thinking about or missing people; it's just a personality flaw. I have a few friends that are the same way and I often think it's miraculous that we manage to keep in touch at all.
• I never forward those chain emails but I do occassionally send them back to the person that sent them to me the number of times you're supposed to forward it. You know, in case they're supersticious. That way I can imagine them trying to come up with more people to send it to.
• My Mum told me that Dave Barry was right when he said people (strangers) stop seeing you when you are over 50. It kind of makes me look forward to being over 50 even though I'm not entirely convinced it's true.
• My most memorable fight ever with Jason went something like this... J: "Why are you all steaming mad?" C: "Yeah, I'm the fucking rug doctor." I don't remember what it was about but it ended right then as we both started laughing.
• I always vote with my heart. I feel it's okay because Jason and I vote as a team and he gets the task of strategic voting.
• I don't think people always get my sense of humour.
• I'm thinking it would be fun to plan a birthday party for Jason and instead of playing poker (or some other typical adult fun) we'd play pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, blind man's bluff, and have loot bags. Drinking would still be required (maybe even more so).
• The other day I came across a card that Jason and I had picked up for my brother in law a couple years ago. We had put it away and forgotten about it. It's still funny. We are thinking of seeing if we can find more so we can send him the exact same card for five years in a row to see if he notices.
• I am cynical but I sometimes think people that have faith are wiser.
• I like office and school supplies.
• I worked in a call centre and am still not entirely over my hatred of the phone.
• I love pedicures. It's been a really long time since I had one.
• I never feel like I am doing enough.
• I don't feel responsible for the good qualities in my children only the bad habits.
• I wish I was more organized.
• I am using bullets instead of numbers so that how short of 102 I am will be less apparent.
• I think about what I could be writing on my blog all the time but am not great at finding the time to actually write it down.
• I started this a few days ago and am publishing it even though it's short of 102 because blogger keeps entries in chronological order not posting order (note the date).
• I re-published my policy-parenting post because I decided it was how I felt at the time and my blog should represent that.
• I am happy. I am content. What people say about life in your 30s is true. It's much better than the 20s.