Christmas is Upon Us

Well this month certainly did not start off on such a great note for any of us; in fact, it was probably the hardest time we have all faced.  I had to go in for surgery to get this stupid IUD removed as it had gone AWOL and was piercing my bowel.  A planned one night stay in hospital turned into a nine day stay due to an infection and some adverse reactions to the anesthetic and medication.  I began my stay on the post surgical unit in a semi-private room but was quickly transferred to an overflow unit and placed in a 4 person room with three much older folks; one horked and spat all the time, one farted and talked to his wanker and one stunk and snored like no tomorrow.  Clearly this was not a place I wanted to have people visiting, especially my daughter so our visits were very short and in the hospital lobby.  It is times like these when you have to be away from your family that you really realize how important they are and how luck you are.  Ted had to continue to working so thankfully my amazing parents were able to help out and take Jade on the nights he had to get up and also during the days.  If it were not for them, I honestly do not know how we would have got through this all.  I now have a full appreciation as to why many new moms have such a hard time leaving their little ones, especially for extended periods of time.  Jade and I spend a great deal of time with my parents so my nerves and all that are at almost complete ease having Jade stay there...do not think I would have been okay otherwise.  Figure I must as well be completely honest here, why hide anything eh?  Of course, the best place for her is at home, with her mommy and daddy but when circumstances get in the way, we have to go with the next best option.  Anyone that has been to my parents would attest to the fact that Jade pretty much has a second home at their place and feels oober comfortable there.  One of the most heartbreaking things during the whole hospital gong show ordeal was when Ted and Jade would leave after visiting...I would just see Jade's smile quickly change and she would stare at me with a blank look of shock.....HEARTBREAKING!!!!  There were times when I would call and she would be screaming but everytime the phone was put up to her ear, apparently she would stop and a big smile would come upon her face...heartwarming.  I must also mention that I have two amazing twin cousins who helped out as well; honestly don't know if they have more pictures of our daughter or we do :)

After nine horrid days, I was released with a frigging catheter but thankfully by Christmas Eve it was gonzo and life was returning to normal.  Christmas Eve was joyfully spent at my parents place with friends, family and animals.  It was a time to catch up with a couple childhood friends, meet new people and have good times all around. Aunty Ashlee took the honour of buying Jade her Christmas jammies, which were very adorable with the Santa hat.  Ironically she got a bear that tells the story "Twas The Night Before Christmas" from my papa as well as the story book from Ashlee.  Unfortunately Jade passed out before we were successfully able to sit her down with the bear and book but both did get used before the holiday ended :)  Christmas could not have been any better; not only were we at my parents place but it was Jade's first one.  Of course she got spoiled by everyone...new toys and outfits by grandma and grandpa; new snow suit and clothes from Aunty Ashlee, a psychedelic Build-A-Bear from Uncle Timmy and Aunty Rachel, a keyboard from Oma and Opa and so much more from our families and friends.  Must say that Ted and I were pretty lucky ourselves and are very thankful for everything.  Firearms course for Ted, new shoes, decor for our new place, clothes and looks like we will be season ticket holders for the Lions for another season thanks to my amazing Aunt, Uncle and my awesome cousins.  What was also great about this Christmas was that we had some time to just spend at home, the three of us, relaxing and taking it easy...being together.  Christmas dinner was the big do at my Aunt and Uncle's place which always makes for good times. So, have to say this was definitely a great Christmas!!!!

Attempt at a nice family pic (didn't really turn out that way)

Jade & her new bear from Uncle Timmy & Aunty Rachel

Trying out her new toy with Grandpa, of course Dexter needs to be a part of it

Jade and her "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story telling bear from my papa

Jade got to spend lots of time with Aunty Ashlee which I was very happy about.  It is tough having her living way over in Edmonton so the time she does spend with us needs to be quality.  Aunty Ashlee just can't seem to stop spoiling Jade though, lol...I think everytime Ashlee went to a store or near one, she came back with some sort of thing for Jade.  Uncle Timmy and Aunty Rachel came over for dinner a few days after and so there was lots of cuddling time for Aunty Rachel then.  Ohhhh, they joined us in christening our dining room table too....yep, been in this place for 2 months and that was the first time we used our table...shhhhhh!!!

New Years was also perfect, a quiet one spent at home with just the three of us :)

We are at the 8 month old mark now so everyone is always asking about teething, crawling, and sitting.  Jade is constantly chewing on things and drooling, as I have been saying for a few months now, but there are still no teeth to be seen.  She can't quite pull herself up into a sitting position just yet but once in one, Jade can hold herself up for a short period of time.  My gosh though, she has quite the little six pack starting to form as she tries to pull herself up into a sitting position with straight legs and upper body so ends up balancing herself with her abs.  Crawling you ask, well little Jade is quite the expert at crawling backwards but hasn't quite figured out the whole forward motion thing.  She has a habit of getting herself stuck places whether it be at home or at grandmas.

Poor peanut is still having bowel issues and just can't seem to get out what is needed.  She tries so hard, her face turns red and her little eyes water but rarely does she have success.  After seeing the doctor, we are trying a few suggestions and hopefully will have some more success on a regular basis.

We had quite the day one day and made our rounds and visits.  We ventured to China Town to meet some ladies from work for Dim Sum.  Of course Jade loved it as she got to make her round the table visits and see a new part of the city...not to mention she got company for part of the car ride with Aunty Laine.  Next, Jade and I made a trip out to the Coquitlam area to visit some friends.  What was supposed to be a pop in to drop off some Christmas presents turned into a great little play date for Jade.  It was really nice to catch up with Leanne and let Zoey help out with Jade and Kenzie.  We just hope that Jade is a little nicer during her future play dates and doesn't always want to take the toys from the other kids.  I really don't think she is doing it to be mean, she is just sooooo curious that she has to test out anything and everything.  Definitely hope to be seeing more of them.  We also finally got to see Tante Mette and Uncle Mike, it had been far too long since we last saw them.  Of course Jade always loves her time with them, especially Uncle Mike.

Kenzie & Jade (notice the hand holding)

Another day of note this past month was Jade's first audition.  We thought it might be neat to see if Jade got into doing some commercials but we have absolutely no expectations but rather doing it for the experience.  When I was in hospital, I got a call from an agency asking if Jade wanted to try out and we said sure, what the heck.  The three of us went to the studio where there were a ton of other babies, Jade went on her own for a couple of minutes then the three of us got interviewed for a couple of minutes and that was the extent of the audition.  We won't find anything out until the middle of this week so you will just have to stay tuned for the next blog as to whether we were chosen; so far not chosen but maybe over the next couple of days we will get a surprise call.  Of course we think Jade was a star but I guess we are bias :)  Oh, I guess you may be wondering what the audition was for...hmmm...I guess I can tell you; it was for Huggies.

This past month has been a real busy one and there really has not been much time for us to just relax at home, the three of us and not have to be running off to somewhere.  However, the times we have had, have been great.  Whether we are able to watch a show or I get to watch Ted play the guitar as Jade watches in awe or attempts to strum as well, it is a great time.  Definitely think she prefers the guitar over the piano; when Ted set her up with the guitar, she grabbed it like she was a natural :)

The final day of this month was swim lessons, better known as water babies. Most of the time Jade had a "deer in the headlights" look but she didn't scream or anything.  I think she enjoyed it but was overly curious about everything around us including the other babies.  She did get dunked and still had the same look but a few seconds after, she shook her head as if she was freezing.  We ended the session with a huge smile so I guess that is a good note.

This little girl is the hardest to change and feed.  Jade likes to roll around the change table, kick her legs and do anything she can to make it difficult for us to put her diaper on.  Of course she prefers to be in her birthday suit but if we don't hurry and get the diaper on she takes the liberty of peeing which she has done at home and on Grandma and Grandpa's bed...oops.  We have had to put the chair her booster seat is on in the middle of the room because if we don't Jade constantly grabs at whatever she can and is completely distracted while feeding.  Best part of that is that she opens her mouth for food even though her face is turned away and she is busy grabbing at something.  The chair in the center of the room doesn't always work as she will find something to stare at and attempt to reach for.  Jade is also quite the little teaser of Dexter....Dexter will get shooed away so he doesn't get into her food but then the little bugger gets food on her hand and sticks it out for Dexter to come lick; only for him to get shooed away again....oh this is not a good sign for things to come.  I just give up sometimes on trying to be clean and this results in food everywhere, as you can see in this pic of her with her carrots. 

 

I guess I have to note here that Jade did kind of say her first word...errrrrr....it was dada.  We figure though it is more of her just making sounds than really making a word so I guess she hasn't officially done it.  Ok, ok, I am not that bad, any word is welcome even if it is dada first :)

Jade continues to enjoy her sports on t.v., football remains one of her favourites.  The pic below is when she was watching one of the college bowl games with my mom, note the leg crossing which was all done by her.  She loves to grab anything she can reach and then starts flailing her arms like no tomorrow.  I will say that I have been hit in the face a few times with various objects and the response is always a laugh from her dad and her.  Little missy also likes to give us a big smile and giggle when we firmly say no to her when she does such things as grab at wires.....eeek, do we have a cheeky child in the making? :)

I guess this about wraps up another month of in the lives of Jade and her crazy parents. This coming month will probably be a little quieter but also a little sadder as we bid adieu to Uncle Timmy as he heads off to boot camp.  I shall leave you with some pics of the lil' nut sleeping, but don't get any ideas that this happens often :)

Cat nap on Christmas Eve before dinner

Asleep in her Christmas jammies from Aunty Ashlee on Christmas Eve

Goodnight!