Pumpkins and Toques - Too Cute!

See What I Mean? Snow...already!

Tragic Autumn

I think that it is almost tragic that Fall only lasts a sporadic few weeks. I think I have come to the conclusion that it is my favourite season. While it is sad to cut back the garden in preparation for its wintersleep you do so surrounded by the vibrant changing leaves and engulfed in that crisp autumn air. I love heading out for a walk with only a sweater on (no need for bulky winter jacket, hat, mitts, scarf, longjohns, wooly socks, etc.) and letting the cool air bring roses to my cheeks. It is such a delight to watch Jude enjoy the crunch of the leaves for the first time, or watch him smile with delight when the wind picks them up and blows them around. Anyways, I love love love this time of year and for the first time can truly enjoy it as I am not swamped with report cards!

The Tripod

Jude starting moving on his own for the first time yesterday. I wouldn't call it crawling exactly, more like "tripoding". The fastest he moved was when the neighbourhood cat came to our back door. He scooted so fast over to the door, good thing he has no idea how to open those sliding doors or he would have let that cat in!

Simple Joys

I've always tried to appreciate the simple joys in life. Things like crunchy autumn leaves, hot chocolate, a delicate flower growing out of the sidewalk crack. You know, things that just put a smile on your face. What is even better than coming across a simple joy is watching Jude take such pleasure in the simple things around him which often result in a squeal of delight from him, accompanied of course by a hand clap. Here are a few things from the past few days that have brought joy to Jude: the neighbour mowing the lawn with a push mower, the neighborhood cat that comes to our back deck and walks back and forth in front of the glass door, any ball, when I toss and catch things in the air, dogs, kids in the park, spraying water, when we pass people on the sidewalk, when the neighbour kids stop to play with him, bicycles and of course when Dad comes in the door after work. Thanks Jude for pointing out all the awesome things in life that we big people tend to overlook.

Yeah for Yogurt!

Yup - he ate some and asked for more, halleluiah!

Food Fight

So the food battles with Jude continue. It started out from the day we brought him home - no latching, 8 hours of screaming, finger feeding, etc. Things only got worse despite many visits to the lactation consultants and physiotherapists for my shoulder/neck that was thrown out of whack by my valiant efforts to feed my little dude. After more than two months of round the clock breastfeeding, herbal supplements by the truckload, drugs, tubefeeding, pumping, cleaning the tube and pump equipment, repeat, repeat, repeat, oh and throw in a tongue clipping for our poor little hungry guy I was forced to throw in the towel and tearfully feed my little guy formula. Once his little body finally adjusted to formula, and he began to act a little more like a sane baby and I thought that was the end of the food battles.

Well, guess again! He now refuses solids - homemade, storebought, smooth, chunky, finger foods, doesn't matter. Oh, except for cheerios (actually 'toasted cereal o's). Those he will eat one by one, followed by a cute little hand clap for each and every cheerio that he manages to get in his mouth! Oh Jude you can be very difficult, but so so so adorable!