Christmas, carrots, and Change

Well, I apologize to my dedicated and wonderful followers, for my lack of material over the past few weeks. We took a trip back East to visit the fams over the holidays, and combined with getting ready for Christmas, and then getting back to Ottawa for one of my brothers weddings, things have been a wee bit crazy. Lovely. And Crazy Busy.

So... what's new in 2010 for the Vances you are most likely dying to know? Not a whole lot with Dave I, really. Dave is back to work and several hundred assignments and tests behind in marking, while I enjoy being at home with Cooper and Jesse. Jesse, however, provides the biggest changes and conversation topics these days, so I guess I'll talk about him.

Six months ago, the little malnourished 6 pounder could barely keep his eyes from crossing, or stay awake, for that matter. Six months later, his is a happy, silly, dramatic, and darling little boy. He has doubled his birthweight, and I must mention has very good and straight eyes (his Poppie was worried about them for a while). He has a passion for yelling, sitting and gurgling the phrase dada. And when I look at him and prod, "Say mama?" He grins, squeaks out "dada," then nuzzles into my neck.

Just over the past month, he's changed a ton. He has cut 2 teeth, can sit up on his own, and while he used to spit rice cereal in my face when I fed him, he now downs the stuff like a trooper. I feel bad for babies and the things they recommend you start them on as far as food goes. The rice cereal isn't that bad, or the fruit, but strained carrots and green beans are gross. Someone told us to try avocado, and I was a little disturbed. I don't like guacamole. But you'd think it was gummy bears, the way Jesse reacted. The Beef is truly disgusting, and tops the cake in my opinion. It's slimy, and gritty, and smells like cat food. Jesse, however, scarfs that down, shivers, then smiles and opens his mouth for more while bouncing in his high chair. Unbelievable.

There are several things I just can't get over when it comes to babies, and my little Jessebear in particular. One, is how nothing in my life REALLY truly prepared me for being a mom. Maybe if I was a soldier on the brink of war, that would have prepped me for the lack of sleep ... And not even prenatal classes (as good intentioned as they are) really prepares you for giving birth. enough said. And nursing... well that is a whole 'nother can of worms, that a person really can't be "trained" for. Then there is all the practical stuff about vaccines, and baths, and when to feed what, and parenting approaches. I didn't really babysit, and let's just say, thank GOD for mothers and the internet.

Most of all, I'm totally blown away by the fierce love I have for this little, needy, bony kid with massive cheeks, and the quirkiest personality. He's started reaching for me when he is with somebody else, and I must say I quite selfishly LOVE it. Being a mom is just the best. Looking forward to 2010 with my awesome babe, husband and even my irritating dog. Thanks for reading. I'm out.