Perfectly Imperfect

Simplify

2009-09-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

I'm consolidating. For the last few years that I have blogged I have maintained this blog, though the maintenance of late has been quite sad, and another blog that I posted for family and friends alone. I kept them separate because at first I thought I needed this "other" blog as a space to vent and ruminate about my life in a way I didn't think appropriate for my family's eyes. Now, considering the infrequency with which I post here, and my lack of time and enthusiasm for the job, I am going to say goodbye to this space and focus on keeping just one good blog. No promises on whether or not this will increase the number of posts I manage a month, but this still feels like a weight off my chest so it must be the right thing to do. For those who might still want to keep up with my/our lives you can now find me here: http://www.littleskyeguy.blogspot.com. I will still be following all of you, for although I have been a lousy and lazy commenter as of late I still enjoy peeking in on how you all are. Thanks and goodbye (kind of).

MIA

2009-08-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a bit, I know. With everything else going on here, and whoo boy it's been full up around here, it's just so hard to find motivation (and time) to blog. It only gets worse the longer I stay away...

The kiddos are doing great. We are at a wonderful phase with Mason in which he spends all day just being a sweetheart. He is such a mellow and patient baby (KNOCKING ON WOOD). He is making lots of coos and aroos now, and is always ready with a smile to answer yours. I don't dare claim to have figured out the ins and outs of Skyler's moods, but things have been better. I am pretty certain that 99.9% of the tantrums we see out of him now are completely the fault of his age. Even then we haven't been having nearly the same level of occurrence as what we did about a month ago. Overall they are quite the pair of awesome little boys.

We have been busy with guests and travelling. Andy had a friend in town first, then I had some college roommates come into town just before we all headed out for an out of town wedding. It was my/our first time away from Mason and things went really well. My mom took over the littlest guy in our absence while Skye spent time with Andy's family. It felt strange initially, leaving Mason for so long so soon, but friends and wine helped ease the separation. The only downside to the whole thing was all the milk I bothered to pump while we were gone had to be tossed due to it's untimely defrosting on our return trip. Which reminds me, I have a breastfeeder now! About a month ago the tide changed and Mason suddenly became amenable to taking his milk straight from the tap. This was/is a huge relief as pumping to provide for feedings was really wearing me down. I was literally counting down the days until he would be less reliant on my milk, just wishing the time away so I could not be attached to the damn pump. I did because I had to, well I felt I had to, but I most certainly hated it. So very glad the little monkey changed his mind.

The biggest and latest news in my world is that I got laid off. My former employer had to reduce their staff by about fifty percent, I was part of the deleted chunk. I actually received this news while I was en route to the wedding mentioned above. Granted I did work for my in-law's company and the news was delivered by my husband, but still it was a bit of a shock. Really it's not a bad thing though, we were going to be paying an arm and a leg to have both kids in day care and not really looking forward to putting Mason into someone else's care at such a young age. We have a bit of money tucked away to help us for at least the next year, so now I have a new job title: stay at home mom. It's something I've wanted, so obviously this isn't the end of the world. I have some feelings of guilt knowing that I will be home with the boys when Andy is in an office, but we both agree that at least one of us has this opportunity. I have some thoughts on how to perhaps make a little side income too, so we will see how that goes.
I'd like to say that I will be better about blogging, and commenting, but really I am lucky to get to my computer once a week. I will try though:).

We survived

2009-08-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

We managed to survive, and (I will concede) even managed to enjoy our week of just us three. It was certainly hard, it was definitely tiring, and I am sooooo very glad to have Andy back BUT we did manage just fine during the week that he was away. Not surprisingly I feel much more comfortable and in control of the whole parent-of-two thing having gone through this past week. Perhaps I really needed this trial by fire? I wouldn't go so far to admit that, but being on this side of the week I can at least see that it was a validating experience.

Since our family's expansion I have always been a little anxious when left with the two boys alone. I didn't really dread it, but I definitely avoided it when I could. There was no avoiding this situation with Andy gone. We are lucky enough to live very close to both of our parents, so I did have relief throughout the week here and there. The majority was all me though, and as silly as it might seem I am pretty proud of having managed this last week all by my lonesome. It's given me greater confidence regarding my ability to parent these two (especially when they are together and I am alone).

Things I am not looking forward to

2009-07-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

I like this picture of the Mason monkey because you can really see how blue his eyes are. It's crazy to have this little blue eyed boy, he looks just like his daddy.

Things are bumping along around here. We are currently down to just one kiddo as our big boy went out to the family cabin with his Nana, Pa and aunt and uncle. Without us. It's great for him, because he is having a blast with lots of Skyler only time. It's a bummer for us because nothing sounds better than being on the lake with sunshine and our boy. Sigh. It's all in part to preparing for this upcoming week when Andy will be gone the entire week for business in New York. Leaving me and the two kids to fly solo. To say that I am terrified is an understatement. So having Skye off my hands for a couple of those days will be helpful. Still, I miss my big boy and I wish I was there with him. I also wish that I didn't have a week of solo parenting ahead of me. Not all wishes come true apparently. So aside from the fact that I blog less in general now, I likely will be completely AWOL this next week as showering will be a monster accomplishment, let alone finding internet time.

How we keep ourselves entertained

2009-07-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Pinching ever chubbier cheeks

Attacking the oldest child with cheap water toys

Bestowing the gift that is super Nintendo gameplay

Like father like son

Seeing how many children we can fit our arms around

That's how we roll around here.

MM: Month One

2009-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well Mason man, you are one month old today. It's official, since you came out at 11:39 and it's now a little past 3:30 pm. What can I say about you at one month? I am still just starting to get to know you, especially now that you are starting to be more wakeful during the day. You have been a pretty easygoing baby up to this point. That is not to say that you are no longer mellow, but in comparison your presence is much more noticeable.

You sleep most of the morning hours away, after waking up around 6 or 7. You are pretty good to us, falling asleep around 9 or 10, waking around 3 am, and then sleeping on from there. I have to say that I feel much more rested in your first few weeks than I did with your brother Skyler. But perhaps this can be accounted for my already being used to sleep deprivation. I no longer take the night hours for granted.

You are starting to push up when we hold you on our chests, working on those neck stabilizer muscles. I welcome this activity because it means you are working hard at getting control of your neck and bobble head. Life is so much easier when you get these skills under your belt, for all of us.

You are a sweet little bug, and everyone is quite infatuated with you - your brother included. He likes to coo over you and hold your hand. He has tried to help us feed you and has even inserted himself into a diaper change or two trying to wipe your bum. I think this will be the only time in your lives where this will occur, let alone be cute. I look forward to seeing your relationship develop, especially once you become more aware of him as a person and not just a helpful/pestering presence. Happy one month Mason man!

Hodgepodge

2009-07-11T21:04:00.001-07:00

I don't currently possess enough motivation, or brain cells, to create a coherent post. So here's random for ya:

- I am still in wonderment in how very different our boys are in looks. Skyler is brown like me, and Mason is (so far) white like his daddy. White skinned and blue eyed. Genetics are a funny thing.

- Pumping is going better, but I am still going to be so glad to be done with it. The question is when? Pumping will be easier, and make more sense, when I go back to work (at 12 weeks). Just wishing there was a more efficient way to do all this.

- Not sure if it is just me, hoping it's not, but I am still working to find room in my heart for two little people. Don't get me wrong, I love both boys dearly, but it's a different kind of love. I have known Skyler for two years now and love the person I have come to know him as. Mason is a love for the sake of loving, I don't really know him yet. This and the process of watching Skyler struggle daily with sharing "my mommy", it can be heartbreaking. This gets easier, yes?

Mmmm, Coldstone

Life in the land of two

2009-07-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Time for a little catch up, apparently having two kids means less free time for blogging. Who would have thunk? It's been a good kind of busy though, a hectic yet manageable time suck. As we enter into this third week of fourdom I am starting to feel a little more in control of things.

The breastfeeding/pumping thing does not hang like a lead weight over my head anymore. We resolved to use formula when necessary and I scaled back my pumping sessions so that I didn't feel like I was hooked to the machine round the clock. Surprisingly this still means that Mason only receives one small formula bottle a day, if that. As his appetite grows this likely will change, but I am comfortable with this balance. It leaves me feeling a lot more sane and has allowed me to enjoy this time much, much more.

Skyler has become a tantrum throwing toddler tornado. Not sure if he possessed all this energy prior to Mason and it just simply wasn't as noticeable until thrown into comparison with a slug-baby newborn...but now it seems like he is all over the place. He is still sweet and completely wonderful with his new baby brother, but he also seems to have a much shorter fuse than before his arrival. We used to see tantrums every couple of days, a really bad meltdown once a week or so. Now, we are enjoying tantrums regularly throughout the day, at little or no instigation, and there have been some epic meltdowns. This has been pretty trying, but then again I suppose they call these the terrible twos for a reason. And he did just get a new brother thrown at him, so I am going to cut him some slack...for now.

Mason continues to be a very mellow baby, we so don't deserve this. Skyler was a pretty easy baby too, but Mason seems even more laidback than his older brother. This may be in part to his being the second baby and our feeling more relaxed about the situation. Generally though, I think we just got a very sweet baby boy. He sleeps away the majority of the day, and up to this point I have been waking him up to feed him during the night. Since we went in for his two week check up today and found that he is a nice healthy ten pounder (13oz over his birthweight!) I will now be following his lead for feedings overnight. He only cries when he is hungry, or getting his bum wiped. I am feeling pretty blessed with this one.

Here's some recent photos as well:

Skyler getting in some morning snuggles with Mason man

Encountering pop-its for the first time. He was encouraged to throw!

Daddy smooches

Mama and Mason

Blue eyes

The least efficient way from point A to B

2009-06-26T23:04:00.001-07:00

I breastfed Skyler until he was about six and a half months old. I actually remember the day that he stopped breastfeeding, because he was the one who actually put an end to it. It was October 27th, 2007. A few days before his first Halloween and we were going to the pumpkin patch at the last minute. I was actually relieved, because although I had enjoyed the closeness breastfeeding had brought to our relationship I loathed the idea of being the one to initiate an end to the process. Plus kid had some teeth by then, yowch. Skyler has made a lot of things easy on us, weaning himself was just one of them.

Mason has not been a good breastfeeder. It doesn't really seem right to say it that way, since it's not really his fault. I don't know if it's the latch, or if he is just not into delayed gratification and being willing to wait for my letdown. Whatever it is, it hasn't been working. Two days ago I decided to try a different direction. I still want to provide him with the same nutrients I gave Skyler through my breast milk, so I am pumping. I am pumping a lot for what seems like so little as I only seem to be able to keep up for the next feeding. It's frustrating trying to get ahead of myself with an advanced supply, especially when it would be so much easier if the little guy would drink straight from the tap. Andy reminds me that it has only been a few days since I started down this path, and it will take time. Which of course he is right, but I still cannot help but feel disheartened by this extra (time consuming) step in Mason's feeding process. I will keep pumping and keep trying to make this choice work, I just hope it gets even a little bit easier soon.

In other news, Mason is one week old today. He is the sweetest little baby and is actually asleep for the majority of the day's hours. We actually have been having to wake him up during the night to make sure he gets a feeding. So far he seems to be a pretty laid back baby, something I am pretty sure we don't deserve after having Skyler who was a relatively easy baby himself. Speaking of Skyler, he loves his 'baby brother Mason'. He dotes on him, loves to hold him, and is always coming up to kiss and love on him. I feel so blessed that he has taken to Mason so well, I really expect something far less pleasant. Then again, it has only been a week.

Mason's birth story

2009-06-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

My doctor peered over the surgical curtain separating me from the rest of the action in the room. "Thank goodness we went with a c-section," she said "we can see a big hole in your uterus right now". Not the most reassuring words ever spoken during a surgery, but certainly some validating ones considering the circumstances. When considering the options for how Mason might enter this world, a repeat c-section or attempted VBAC, we weighed the numbers. Though a relatively low number of women who attempt a VBAC experience a rupture (of their previous scar), those that do face some serious and scary consequences for both themselves and baby. The fear of those consequences was enough to direct us towards a repeat c-section. It seemed the right choice for us, and when I heard those words in the ER I discovered how right we were. A hole, in my uterus. This meant that when they went in for Mason they found an open window waiting for them where there out to have been a shut door. Somehow, either before or during this pregnancy, my scar from Skyler's birth had began to rupture creating a nearly fist sized opening where there ought to have been none.

We started out the day of Mason's birth rising early. We needed to be at the hospital by nine for the the surgery which was scheduled at eleven. Before all that we needed to make one last stop to see Skyler who had spent the night previous at Nana and Pa's. We got in some last minute family of three time and then ventured on for all my pre-surgery preparations. Whether it was the stress of the day or lack of sleep the night prior I could not keep my eyes open for the life of me. During the hour or so in which I spent being pumped full of IV fluids to ready me for surgery I found myself fighting drowsiness, I was worried I might fall asleep in the operating room. This was a weird feeling, considering all the nerves I was experiencing at the same time.

The whole process felt very familiar considering we had been through a nearly identical day a few years earlier. They finished monitoring me and led me back to the OR and placed my epidural as Andy waited elsewhere in his surgical haz-mat suit. He was disappointed by the scrubs this time, they weren't take-home worthy. Once they had assured my numbed state and prepared to get underway with the surgery itself Andy got to return to the room. Some jostling ensued and the conversation above occurred, and then, he was out. He sounded just like an angry cat, and I couldn't believe how big he was. Mason really did look like a chunk from the very beginning. I had wagered that he would be about Skyler's size if not a bit smaller. I was wrong. Born at 11:39 am, Mason Alejandro weighed 9lbs 3oz and measured 20.5 inches long. A few ounces heavier and a half an inch shorter than his big brother.

I was so thrilled that this time around Andy and Mason got to stay with me for the rest of the surgery's duration. When Skyler was born he was whisked away, after an initial view, for bathing and measuring in another room. I told Andy to go with him, since at least I knew I wouldn't get lost in the hospital. Our little yet unknown baby boy seemed a more valuable asset to be monitored. This time however Mason and Andy stayed with me the whole time. Once he was wiped off and measured Andy brought him over for me to adore and we spent the end of the surgery cooing over what we thought was an adorable little noise he was making. He seemed to be emitting a constant stream of 'eh-eh-ehs' which we chalked up to a talkative nature. The nurses knew differently though and became concerned by his "singing", as they called it. Turns out that that little noise was an indication of fluid present in his lungs, something Mason was trying in his own little way to remedy. Unfortunately it was nearly twenty four hours after his birth that we received solid confirmation that this was the case, a period in which we spent worrying and Mason endured endless pokes, prodding, and blood draws. We spent a much longer time in recovery because of this and almost sent family home since we weren't sure Mason would be up for visitors. Ultimately the tests did reveal that his noises were caused by fluid, a common occurrence in c-section babies, by which time the grunts had all but resolved themselves. We are grateful for the outcome, but the time in between was not something I would ever want to repeat.

The rest of our hospital stay was uneventful and blessedly short. We came home after two days instead of the three we had been expecting since both Mason and I were recovering rapidly from the trauma of birth. We were very fortunate to be on the receiving end of a lot of familial support during this time and pleasantly surprised by Skyler's embrace of big brotherhood. He loves Mason and is very protective of him, showering him with lots of kisses and coos. He seems to understand very well that baby brother Mason, as he calls him, requires gentle handling. So far the expected swing to the head or all out rejection hasn't occurred yet, but then it is only day four.

Mason himself has so far been a pretty calm baby. He enjoys his sleep and will even maintain slumber while his father and two year old brother rumble around him. He resembles Skyler in the vaguest of details, though it is clear that he possesses some strong characteristics of his own. We feel very lucky to have another health and beautiful baby boy on our hands.The rest of the story can be told in pictures. There is one short video at the end of Mason's actual birth. It's not very graphic, for those who might be concerned, especially considering it was shot by Andy who is notably squeamish and faints at the sight of blood. He apparently makes exceptions for the birth of his son.

He's here

2009-06-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

We are healthy, happy, tired and home. I have quite the story to tell, but no energy to tell it at present. Here's pictures for now. Mason Alejandro was born on Friday June 19th at 11:39 am, he was 9lbs and 3oz and 20.5 inches long.

Bittersweet

2009-06-18T14:33:00.001-07:00

Today is my last day as a mother of one. One could (very strongly) argue that my huge pregnant belly already constitutes my status as a mother of two. But what I really mean here is that today is my last day with one child on the outside. Just one little man to keep track of, Mason never strays far from my rib cage so it's just not the same.

I am excited to meet this second son of ours tomorrow. I have been waiting for this moment for almost forty weeks, the wait seems even longer since I knew we were expecting before a pee stick would tell me so. I also cannot wait to be done with this pregnancy deal. I am bloated, I am achy, I literally must have about 4 inches left between my stomach and the back of my throat because it feels like nothing every really goes down but just sits and burns there. Nice. So you see, I am ready. I am also scared though, of what this will mean for son number one and everything that I have become so attached to in the past two years of his life. Surely I know that everything will be twice as wonderful in the end, but right now all I can focus on is that today is my last day of singular devotion to this guy:

So today is bittersweet. I have been spending all day trying to think of ways to take in all his oneness so that tomorrow when our load doubles I can feel a little bit better about springing a sibling on him. A little brother will bring lots of good things for Skyler, a chance to share and opportunities to bond. A little playmate with whom to gang up on mom with, and another male to share fart jokes with. I will look forward to these too, if I love this one little boy so much I can hardly fathom how wide my heart will have to open for two. So here's to today, my final of solo childness, and to what tomorrow brings.

My two year old...

2009-06-16T22:41:00.001-07:00

...says and does the funniest things.

-This morning I heard pounding coming from the kitchen. What was he doing, I wondered. He was using my deodorant (that he had purloined from upstairs) to smash a stray piece of mandarin orange. Why? Because he thought it was a spider, or so he said.

-I was changing the diaper bag out of his pail as Skyler looked on. He announced, "Yucky, yucky poopy. Yuck, don't eat it". Correct my dear, and don't worry I won't.

-He was "helping" out in the yard today with his little green rake. He began to swing it a little wilder than appropriate and I suggested he not, since he didn't want to hurt himself. He raised the tool skyward and announced, "Skyler hurt the sky?", and looked concerned. He's empathetic and apparently much taller in his own head.

Just to mention a few :).

Better late than never

2009-06-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

So we had another baby shower for Mason man this past weekend, with five days to d-day no less. Better late than never right? It ended up being so close due to several factors, including some slow planning on our mom's parts and it being an ideal weekend for several out of town guests who would be attending. Either way, it happened and it was lovely. I was just enormously pregnant (still am) and completely wiped by the end. It's sad how sitting and talking can be exhausting at this point. We did get some more very useful items to help us in preparation for the arrival of son number two in *three* more days. Yikes, but yay. I am so worn out, my body hurts so bad. I am scared and anxious about what it will mean to have two children, and worried about how this will affect Skyler... but sweet jebus I am so completely done being pregnant. If I have it, it hurts and it doesn't work very well anymore. Blech. Anyways, here's some lovely pictures from MIL's camera (except for the first two) of our get together. Presents, chocolate, and friends is never too trying after all.

Veinte y seis

2009-06-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Skyler,Alright, so for now I am keeping the monthly letters. Who knows if I will manage it after this month though, in eight days you aren't going to be the only one whose milestones I will need to take notice of. Eight more days and you are going to be a big brother kiddo. There will be two of us (parents) and two of you (little monkeys).

This past month has just been a blur of cognitive advances for you. I realized today that when you sing the ABC song you actually sing the ABC's. Before it was just the tune and an occasional intelligible vowel. Now you clearly say each letter, and even finish off the ditty by requesting that next time we sing with meeeee! It's amazing, and I am not sure I can pinpoint exactly when that change took place. You are so much better at putting thoughts and sentences together. You clearly understand what is going on around you and can even think outside of what is there and present. You continue to love being active and above all else outside. I think you would be perfectly content to spend hours 'mowing' the lawn and dragging your tools around behind you. Daddy even took advantage of your enthusiasm for outdoor chores the other day and put you to work gathering rocks out of the lawn. Very few people would gain as much pleasure from collecting and then disposing of rocks, running back and forth across the back lawn to do so, as you did. You love to be a helper.

We also sprung something pretty big on you this month, a brand new bed. We let it sit side by side with your crib for a few nights before making the grand switch, but truly it seems our greatest of fears are yet unfounded since you are sleeping quite well in it (even now as I type). At night you like to sit on the end of 'Skye-guy car bed' and let your feet dangle as we read your nightly stories to you. Then, all of your night time ablutions attended to, you willingly climb right in and lay down for the night. I am still marvelling at your acceptance of this change, perhaps you are more willing to grow up than we are to let you.

I won't say that two months past two has been all roses, you have been providing us with a fair amount of disciplinary challenges and general toddler trouble. But with all your big hugs, 'need' kisses, and willingness to share any treat you come across I can see how parents (and their children) survive to year three. Happy 26 big man, and I hope you enjoyed it as your last as a single child.

On again, off again

2009-06-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

Not that my body hasn't been slowly betraying me over the last few months, but the last week has really made me want to put up the white flag. I surrender, I am done. Time for baby, my body is tired. I never experienced sciatic nerve pain last time with Skyler, and thank the gods that I am only just now experiencing it with the end so very close (11 more days!). Seriously though, ouch! I was already tired and achy in the pelvic region, but now my right leg has decided to abandon me and sends shooting pains every once and a while up the back. Even sitting doesn't provide relief all the time. I thought things had righted themselves yesterday, but it seems Mason was just testing out a different position and has now resumed his camp out right on my sciatic nerve. Thanks kiddo. Looking forward to seeing you and getting you off of my more sensitive internal assets.

Ch-ch-changes

2009-06-02T15:43:00.001-07:00

We are doing our best to get some big changes in Skyler's life out of the way before the greatest shift of them all occurs with Mason's arrival in just a few *gulp* short weeks. We are "pursuing" potty training, though not on an overly active basis. We moved out Skyler's dresser into Mason's room. And now, now we have removed his crib and replaced it with this:

Skyler's big boy bed, his race car chariot to dreamland. We made the transition slowly, partially out of our desire to be sensitive to Skyler's dislike of change though largely due to lack of courage and love for our own sleep. We had no idea what this new bed would bring out in Skyler, we still don't really as this is only day three of it being in full use. So far so good, though I am not sure he has fully grasped just how much freedom he truly has in this new bed. It frightened him a bit the first night, though only when we got down to the business of getting him to sleep in the bed. He loved the idea of a bed he could 'drive' and he didn't really seem to notice (or at least mention) the lack of his crib. He has slept as he usually has otherwise, which frankly I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am sure it can't be this easy.

I also made some changes to the decor in Skye's room. It has always been largely dominated by dinosaurs, but it has become quite clear over the last year that his true love is cars. So with the introduction of the car bed I thought some more car themed decoration would be appropriate. I painted the roads onto his walls and still plan to get some little cars up there as well. It's a work in progress. Hopefully it will all pull together before Mason arrives, including Skyler's full acceptance of this new sleeping arrangement.

The reason I love summer

2009-06-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

This:

How do I love sunny days and my little boy, let me count the ways. I love how excited he gets when he figures out the nozzle on the hose. I love how he runs manically in circles with his lawnmower, stopping every five minutes or so to run up and tell me he 'needs kiss'. I love watching my husband chase his son, knowing that he is squealing on the inside as much as our little boy is on the outside. This is a good time of year.

That's new

2009-05-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

We are "potty training" the mister. I use that term oh so loosely, because really we aren't doing anything active in this endeavor beyond asking him if he wants to use the potty every hour or so, and assisting him if he assents. He uses it about five times a day, give or take, and hasn't really shown any dislike towards the process. This all leads to my story about how I was just summoned by our sleepy child so that he could use the potty. Now Skyler, and I am sure many other two year olds, uses any number of excuses to avoid bedtime. Saying he needs to potty could likely have been one of them, but since we are trying this "training" I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sure enough he had to go, and did, and then pulled up his own little pants, flushed the toilet and allowed himself to be put back to bed. That's new.

And so that you aren't left with all story and no pictures. Some other things that are new:

Skyler tries to take pictures of himself, with varying levels of success. Mostly he just holds the (wrong side) of the lens up to his eyeball and says "Skylah cheese!". I helped him with this one.

My child likes to pick things up and hold them with his toes. This lovely and strange trait is sadly inherited from me.

Skyler is getting better at handling, and not eating, play doh. He was rolling out 'snakes' here, which always live a short life before being mauled flat into a birthday cake.

One last "new" thing. Be sure to stop over and congratulate Carrie and family on their new arrival, baby Kyla. She is especially new as she entered this world a bit early. Be sure to leave a nice encouraging comment as they go through this new phase of life.

Happy Der-day to Mom-Me

2009-05-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Hooray! My turn for a birthday serenade. Today finds me turning twenty six years old, and also 36 weeks pregnant. Behold the bigness.

Despite my current size, and general discomfort, I had a wonderful birthday courtesy of my boys. Andy and Skyler went out this morning and found me breakfast and some lovely flowers. The flowers really prove that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Mind you that Skyler had full reign in choosing which flowers Mommy got, so this is what the ideal birthday bouquet looks like to a two year old:

Beautiful, right? I imagine that their being the loudest and most vibrant on display helped to attract his attention. I also think they are perfect.

We then spent much of the rest of the day at the zoo. Again, being in advanced state of pregnancy I had begun to doubt the practicality of my birthday choice of activity, but we just went slow and arrived early to beat the midday heat. Overall we had a great time, especially with Skyler now being able to recognize (and imitate) the animals he was seeing. Exhibit A, below we see him roaring like a bear at the Sun Bear display.

We also enjoyed a small break and some snow cones. Skyler sampled both the red and the blue, leaving the lower half of his face an interesting purple.

He made sure to share with me:

And with Daddy:

We ended the trip with the purchase of some souvenirs and a ride on the big (yellow) shuttle bus. Skyler actually enjoyed this part immensely, as he chose to narrate the entire ride by reminding me that "Skye riding bus", and "Skye sit on bus".

It was a wonderful way for me to kick off this new year of life, and truly happy der-day.

Mini "Maternity" Shoot

2009-05-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had a little mini "Maternity" shoot. I use quotations marks because it wasn't anything done professionally, we don't have any extra funds laying around for such occasions. My mother in law however is pretty handy with her camera and obliged us by taking some pictures of the 3, almost 4, of us. I have loads of pictures of just Skyler, and a few more of myself recently due to documentary purposes, but there is a shocking dearth of photos including the whole family. We have a few attempts from the recent holidays, but not enough to satisfy me. I also wanted to have some photographic evidence to look back upon this particular point in our lives. My MIL took quite a few photos of which we really like just a handful. The blame for this partially belongs on the fact that we ran late and missed the good early morning light. The rest can be chalked up to the difficulty of obtaining a "good" photo of three people, one being two years old. Enough disclaimer, here they are:

Unscheduled appearance of the water toys

2009-05-15T22:57:00.001-07:00

We got home from work/daycare/our day and realized it was really quite a nice day outside. Most days getting out of the car Skyler would prefer to stay outside anyways, but today we just had no excuse to go back indoors. He also recently rediscovered a favorite toy from last summer, something unearthed by Andy in the process of cleaning out the back of our car. Before we knew it Skyler was stripped down and in his swimming trunks acting out a scene I really didn't expect to see anytime before July. Not quite summer, but we are getting there.

Veinte y cinco

2009-05-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Skyler-

I can't remember if I had decided that after two we would stop counting your age in months. This might have been something your dad mentioned and I agreed to, then again these last few weeks of gestating your little brother have been thoroughly sapping my mental acuity. Either way, I think we will still continue with these monthly letters...for now.

You are one month past your second birthday and just about a month away from officially becoming a big brother. I know that first one has made an impression on you, since every time you see a cake or enjoy an especially event filled day you start to sing the happy birthday song. In fact you serenaded me several times yesterday for Mother's day, I can understand how these "holidays" might all fall under one title for you at this point. As for understanding about baby brother Mason, I am certain you have no real clue what is in store for you. Don't feel bad, I think we all aren't quite sure what we are about to get ourselves into. You understand that Mason has a room, and that these are Mason's clothes and Mason's toys. You have even identified Mason when going through your introductions; my mommy, my daddy, then Mason (points to my stomach). We will see how you do when introduced to the real thing.

It's funny, when you turned one it seemed that you instantly became a toddler. Or at least what I thought of as a toddler at the time, which meant demonstrating more purposeful actions and independent thought than you had previously practiced. Now that you are two, well, you are very two. You encompass all the wonderful highs and frustrating lows we have been warned a two year old is capable of. You are so very sweet, wanting to give hugs and multiple kisses. You even offer to 'fix' our necks for us, which means a five second neck rub. You are funny, you are already developing a sense of potty humor which I can only really blame myself for. You are smart. Your Gamma told you the other day that you couldn't leave in the car because she didn't have the car seat to take you in. Which was true, her car didn't have a seat installed. What she overlooked, but you did not, was that our spare car seat was sitting right next to the front door, and you. Helpfully you pointed this out. You are also stubborn and randomly psychotic, which I truly mean in the most loving way possible. But really, you are crazy sometimes. I know that much of this stems from your frustration with a world that you haven't quite figured out how to put into words. As developed as your verbal skills are you still don't possess all you need to fully communicate all your wishes and desires. This results in some pretty epic tantrums and a dizzying range of emotions from you at any given time. This too shall pass. Fortunately you are also cute.

We love you bug, even your bad bits. Happy 25th.

Round and round

2009-05-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

So I am managing to post this from home because I am directly connected to my modem. Nice. Not nearly as fancy as wireless, and still not the desired outcome... but then I haven't broken down and bought a new router, so who's to blame really?

We celebrated and early Mother's Day today for my mom so that I can have tomorrow all to myself. The kiddo managed to deliver flowers to gramma with nary a petal smushed or plucked. Quite the feat really.

He also had his first ride on a carousel. Though the whole experience lasted all of ten minutes it really made the whole day. Which is saying quite a bit because the rest of our day was filled with some very two year old moments. *Sigh*. He really did love the 'horsies' though, he named his own Dan. Not sure why. He enjoyed telling it to "Gi-yup" and shouted a few yee-haws. Who knew that these things became fun again once you were a parent. Once again I am reminded how fun the little things are, of course even more so when experienced for the very first time.

Skyler also made me a lovely Mother's day present, with some assistance, at his daycare. His teacher said he was quite enthusiastic with the paintbrush during the creation process. Now just to see what grows.

Happy Mother's Day!

Showering the baby - 34 Weeks

2009-05-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of week 34. Seriously, six more weeks to go. A little over a month for me to get ready for this, number two. Physically I am reaching that point, at some times during the day more than others, where I am ready. Mentally - meh. Looking at my to-do-before-baby-arrives list, also a little meh. We will be needing to make the most of the next five weekends for sure.

Little Mason man had his first baby shower this week, courtesy of my place of work. I have been so fortunate to be on the receiving end of now three showers from this employer (wedding, and for Skyler), I am starting to feel a little guilty for it. Not guilty enough to say no to all of this of course:

Sorry for the poor picture quality, my phone can only do so much. Don't get too excited for me though, I shared a shower with another gal who is due just a few days before me, so only half that loot is mine. Seems that it's not just the blogosphere going through a baby boom, there's something in the water here at work.

Remember, I shared the shower. Only one of the above referenced 'babies' is mine. We took home quite a haul, including this stroller and lots of other things to help us fill in the gaps in Mason's nursery. Very exciting, and needed.

Internet or not

2009-05-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

There are some great giveaways going on right now for 5 Minutes for Mom that you should pass up. Lots of great prizes and just a few more days to enter. Definitely go check it out!

Disconnect

2009-05-04T09:58:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, and likely to come. My internet decided to abandon me last week and the weekend visit from comcast failed to restore it. Apparently my router is the issue and dear comcast only troubleshoots their own equipment, of which my router is not. Thanks for the visit anyways. So until I figure out how to fix my router and/or purchase a new one... I am sans internets for the majority of the time. *Sigh*

32 Weeks - Learning to slow down

2009-04-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Really I was 32 weeks last Friday, so now I am hovering between 32 and 33. It all blends together at this point really, it's going fast. Quite the opposite of my general place these days, which is slow. Or I am finding that it should be. I feel like I have been able to maintain a pretty good energy this pregnancy, I haven't really felt all that limited and aside from the major energy drain of the first few weeks I have been feeling fine. Now not so much. Along with my repeat test for the diabetes they also tested to see if I was anemic. The results came back showing that I am mildly anemic, adding another pill (for iron) to my daily regimen. This also explained why my desire for an afternoon nap had increased significantly in the last few weeks. I have been taking the supplement for about a week now and I think it has been helping, hard to tell really what might be anemia-related tiredness and what is just third trimester dragging.

This past weekend also taught me the need to do some of my own regulation in order to keep myself going safely through these last few weeks. I had a bridal shower to attend that was about two hours drive away. I went up for the weekend, was on my feet helping run it all for most of it, and came home a wreck at the end of it all. I have really been taking for granted that my body would just keep up with me. Chasing a toddler in my spare hours and working during the day led me to believe that I could just power through when needed. My body has officially disabused me of this belief. By late Sunday I just had to lay down and give in, I even had some really unpleasant braxton-hicks to remind me to stay put. I have been having those "practice" contractions for a while now, but these ones were actually a little painful. Time to slow down I guess.

Otherwise things continue to go well, no more travelling or long drives in my near future. Just a matter of sitting back and watching these next 7ish weeks fly by.

Little steps in baby prep

2009-04-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

We have a long list of to-do's before Mason gets here. A loooong list. Fortunately we realized a few weeks back just how short a period of time we now have to accomplish all those things. Less than sixty days to paint/decorate/furnish his room, do some major outdoor renovation, transition Skyler to a toddler bed... to name a few. Since our epiphany we have managed to knock some big ones off the list. My lovely husband spent the weekend that Skye and I were in North Carolina painting his second son's room. He has also since ripped apart our back lawn with a rototiller and is making preparations for reseeding and setting up a fence. I'm pretty lucky like that. Back to the room though, since it was painted a few weeks back I have slowly been working towards filling it with the bits and pieces I have accumulated for Mason. We still need to fill it in with some more furniture, and no small amount of organization needs to occur... but, it looks like a room that could be inhabited by a small child now.

Paint by Daddy, decals by me (and Blik)

Pandas and bamboo, it couldn't all be ninjas

Mason's snuggy bed awaits

There are some ninjas though

Bring your child to work day

2009-04-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

I brought (one) of mine, how 'bout you?

Signs of Spring

2009-04-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

Not to jinx anything, especially with our grand plans for outdoor work this weekend, but I think that Spring has finally sprung around here! The birds are out, little green things are growing, and we have reached the 60's (tomorrow maybe 70's). I never truly appreciated warmer weather until having Skyler, and especially an older Skyler who wants to be outside all the time and doesn't understand why rain -and snow- prevents that. So warmer weather is definitely welcome.

We have been taking advantage of the bits of sunshine as much as we can. One of the things Skyler received for his birthday was a little lawnmower which he LOVES. Every time the door opens he tries to run outside with it. He really appreciated the opportunity to try it out while helping Daddy mow the lawn the other day. Daddy just enjoyed the chance to interact, and terrorize, his little boy. So sweet.

Skye also got a break from his usual Wednesday of daycare this week and went off with my MIL and BIL to go see some tulip fields. He apparently enjoyed this immensely with the exception of the little train they tried to get him to ride. Skyler is very enamored of all things automotive/locomotive - from a distance. He would much rather look at that tractor or train or ride on car than be placed at the helm of said vehicle. He was very polite in his rejection of the train though, remembering to shout 'No dank you' instead of just no. Glad that is sinking in :).

Deja Vu

2009-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

I had completely forgotten something that started occurring towards the end of my pregnancy with Skyler. Every once and a while, when he would move, I could hear a distinct 'popping' sound. Like a little click of a joint, or something like that. I think I would have forgotten that piece of information forever if it hadn't happened again today when Mason was doing his morning calisthenics. The very same sound. So many things have been different between these two pregnancies, but this little piece of identical really ties them together. Any one else ever have one of these moments?

A Christmas Story moment on Easter

2009-04-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! Skyler really enjoyed the holiday this year, which seems to be the trend with holidays as he gets older. He still has no idea why these days are different than any other, but he definitely enjoys the presents and treats that come with it. Having his birthday the day prior only added to the confusion, on the way home from Pa and Nana's house he started chanting "Skyla's Der-day!". Guess he thinks egg hunts are a birthday ritual now.

He did a great job both making and finding eggs. He actually managed to maneuver the funny little wire dipper for the egg dying all on his own. A few eggs got dropped, but these are details. One part of today that he didn't enjoy, initially, was being forced to play the role of resident Easter bunny. Back around Halloween his Nana picked up a bunny costume for him along with his dinosaur outfit. It had been hanging in his closet ever since, just waiting for today. It took some tears and a good deal of struggle, but once he was in it he actually enjoyed it enough to not want out of it for a bit. It also helped keep him warm outside in the bluster, so there was a practical tone to our lunacy. It also made for some adorable photos. I suppose he can make up for it one day by dressing us up when we are to senile to protest.

Dos

2009-04-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Skyler-

Today you are two years old. In your own words today is "Skyla's Der-day!". I tried to show you how to display your age with your fingers, a little peace sign. When I asked you to repeat this act you looked at your hands confused why they didn't form the number two like you expected. You know that you are two though, you can tell us loudly and whisper it to yourself.

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. You turned one and I looked into the future to the day when you would turn two, this day. I had no idea the little person that you would become. I didn't know that you would have such a deep, passionate love for cars. I had no notion that coats would become your prized possessions. I couldn't have guessed at how capable you are at articulating yourself, your vocabulary would have surprised me. You love the outside, you enjoy reading books with us while we all sit on the floor, you like spaghetti and pizza - and most recently strawberries, you hate having your clothes changed and would live in shoes and a jacket if we let you, you are adventurous and timid all at once, you like to climb couches and stairs but refuse to go down slides, you are a ham bone and do things you know are silly to make us laugh, you are so very particular - things must be just so, you are sweet and loving and the most amazing little monkey we could have asked for.

So now I look towards this upcoming year, and moving towards three, and wonder what will be. I know that this year you will become a big brother, and that you will likely become an even more independent (and likely stubborn) little bug. Everything else I know is up to you, all the little bits and pieces that you will put together to form your sense of self and who you are in this world. Happy Birthday big little man, congratulations on officially being two.

Love, Mommy (and Daddy)

Now for the birthday-ness, Skyler had quite the full and fun day. He woke up to a brand new (motorized) ride on tractor from us. He will sit on it, and let us push the button while he rides, but he is still a bit wary about taking the full reign on his own. He then spent the rest of the day being spoiled alternately by us and the rest of the family. All in all his haul included new cars, a train set, a wagon, some play food, a little lawn mower, and some more outside toys. He also actually enjoyed his cake this year, though I wasn't too concerned about that as he has honed his sweet tooth significantly over this past year. He finished it all out with his favorite meal of spaghetti and is now sleeping soundly, likely with his head full of wonderment over how one day can be more special than another. The birthday concept itself is still forming itself in his head, but one can't ask too many questions when cake and presents are involved.

Toddler travel - the North Carolina edition

2009-04-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Done. Done with my last flight before Mason's arrival. And likely my last flight ever again with a toddler. If family, or anyone, wishes to see the children prior to their turning five they are welcome to come and visit. I, however, will not willingly board a plane and agree to enclose myself in a small cabin with an almost two year old for any extended period of time. Ever. It wasn't the worst it could have been, but then it certainly wasn't the best. Skyler did do an admirable job in the airports, and for about 3/4 of the overall flight time. But the last 1/4 that was filled with crying, flailing, and screaming was really enough to outweigh all the sweet, quiet play time that might have preceded said events. Dealing with a thrashing, tantrum throwing toddler will pinned between my mother and a complete (and unsympathetic) stranger... shudder.

That said, everything about the trip that occurred outside of the plane and the airport was lovely. Skyler absolutely thrived in all the fresh air and sunshine. My grandmother lives directly off of a golf course in the midst of a forest of pine trees. Lots of green and open spaces and dirt to dig and play in. It was really quite ideal, and a huge improvement over the conditions (hotel room) we had when visiting family in New Mexico.

It was really just a lot of fun to watch Skyler experience the outdoors at this age. Since it has still been too cold back home for him to enjoy any extended periods of time outside this was really the first time, as a toddler, that he has had full reign of an outdoor environment. He loved it. He played with his cars and tractors in the dirt, ran wild around the local park, tried to climb the tree in my grandma's backyard. He even experienced something I remember enjoying about visiting my grandparents when I was younger: the golf cart. Big perk of having a grandparent that lives off of a golf course, they drive these things everywhere. It took a bit of convincing each time to get him out of this thing, but he was awfully cute in his devotion to it. Unfortunately for him, owning such a thing where we live is both unlikely and impractical.

I was worried about how he would react to my grandma, not only because she was stranger but one in a wheel chair. Missing a leg. These are things that aren't very easy to explain to a toddler. He was pretty wary of her for the first day or so, but frankly I think he was more concerned about not knowing her in general than of her being on wheels. I think he actually liked her wheelchair, he is a big fan of all things mobile. I can't say if he even processed the fact that she was missing a limb, but atleast he didn't make a show of noticing it or act scared around her. Ignorance is bliss in a toddler I guess.

Physically I was a wreck after this trip, as I was with the first one. There is just no getting comfortable when pregnant and travelling. I was immensely relieved to be returned back to my own bed, and pillow, and the waiting help of my husband. My family is on notice, this pregnant lady doesn't fly anymore.

DOB

2009-04-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

So we might/probably/I think we do have a date of birth for our little Mason man. Assuming that things don't go wildly off target, and that scheduling doesn't switch on us, Mason Alexander should be arriving into this world on Friday June 19th. That's 11 weeks away! *Gulp*

I went and had a doctor's appointment this morning and all is well. Mason's heart is beating away in the 130's and he was nice and squirmy for the doctor. Could be because I had to do glucose test part deux, lovely thing about having GD in a prior pregnancy - you get to take the tolerance test twice! Blech. Hopefully I continue to be diabetes free, we will find out in the next few days. Then the doctor brought up the idea of scheduling, which I had been meaning to do myself. Since my original due date was the 26th(ish) we are going ahead with things exactly a week prior to that. Shouldn't be an issue as the little bean has been measuring ahead by a week anyways. Just crazy to think that I can mark it on the calendar now, and really feel the heat of the countdown. Perhaps it's time to actually get serious about putting together the nursery?

In less pleasant news, I will be off on a plane again tomorrow. This time for an even longer duration (with a layover!) to go and visit my ailing grandmother in North Carolina. With my mother and Skyler in tow. While 28 weeks pregnant. Can you feel the impending doom? I can. This in the end will be a good thing, it will give my grandma a chance to finally meet Skyler and (sort of) Mason. Also considering that travelling of this sort really won't be in the cards for us for about another year... who knows what can happen in a year. My grandma has been healthy for all her eighty some years, up until lately. I would hate to think that I left things too late all because of some temporary discomfort. Unfortunately that discomfort starts tomorrow at 8:30 am and won't stop until sometime around midnight next Monday. *Sigh*. Anybody familiar with the use of benadryl on toddlers for extended periods of flight?

The winner is...

2009-03-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

As promised, though a day late (pregnancy brain?), Skyler chose the winner of the EcoStore Giveaway. And the winner is....

Little Dude's Mama! Congrats to you, as soon as I can pass your information along your free cleaner will be off in the mail. Thanks to everyone else who entered, especially those who delurked to say hi.

Speaking of giveaways, my bloggy friend Jamie is having one of her own. She's giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to Maggie Maternity, something I wouldn't mind picking up myself :). I know a few of you out there are in the market for maternity wear as well, so might want to stop by and enter!

As the belly grows - 27 weeks

2009-03-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

One more week and we are into the third trimester baby! I can't even believe that is possible, time really does fly. I already thought I was getting bigger, but something must have happened recently because I have been getting a lot of comments lately that I have 'popped'. I would agree with them, Mason is kinda hanging out there now. Also, so is my belly button. This didn't really happen last time, but now (especially after a good meal) my innie is definitely an outie. Just another funny difference between this time and the last.

I am starting to become more achy, starting each morning with my hips feeling like they just might go their separate ways. By the end of it all last time I was wearing a lovely garment that Andy sweetly referred to as a diaper but was really an all around belly support. I haven't had to resort to this just yet, but it's heading there. I feel like I am carrying Mason differently than I was Skyler so we'll see.

I can also feel that Mason is getting bigger in there too, I still get the frequent jabs and pokes but more and more often I feel his whole body shifting and the long rubs of some solid little body part pushing out against me. He also performs a most unsettling move that feels like a good solid kick to my nether regions, it's strange where those baby bits manage to reach. Even more strange when these particular karate moves are performed while I am trying to quietly sit through a meeting at work.

We have been accumulating items for the nursery and are getting close to starting the putting together process. I feel a bit behind with it all and probably a bit in denial seeing as the time we have to do all this is quickly decreasing. Just 13 more weeks...

P.S. If you haven't had a chance yet be sure to enter the giveaway I posted about a few days ago. I will be, with Skyler's assistance, picking the winner this Sunday!

The help

2009-03-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

Skyler is quite a fan of the outdoors. He often can’t wait for us to move our lazy bums out the door so that he can get to exploring and doing something worthwhile with his day. He especially enjoys getting to use big people tools when outside, this is a double bonus. With spring slowly making it’s appearance we are in the process of tackling the mess that is out outdoor landscape. Unfortunately for Andy the bulk, if not all, of this will land on his shoulders as a pregnancy lady is neither the most helpful or desirable of aides in outdoors chores. Fortunately for him Skyler seems more than willing to pick up my slack. He tested out all of the different tools Daddy had out for work today, the hardest part was convincing him to give them up and come in once it started to rain. Hopefully this ethic sticks around through his teenage years.

EcoStore Giveaway!

2009-03-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and so is the cleaning, so what better time for a cleaning supply giveaway! I recently received some products from EcoStore USA to try out and I am already a big fan, particularly of their Citrus Cleaning Spray. Way back when we first started preparing for Skyler's arrival I decided I wanted to make a switch in my cleaning supplies. Not only was I concerned about the repercussions of Skyler getting his hands on the household cleaners, but I also didn't like the idea of all the chemicals that might be landing where he ate and played. Prior to receiving these products I had been using a simple Clorox spray, which was good in meeting my desire to not be spraying unknown chemicals onto our homes surfaces. The one complaint I had was that it didn't quite measure up to the task of cleaning through the messes my husband makes in the kitchen and the ones Skyler would make around the house. My coffee table in particular never responded very well to this treatment and more than once I had to go over it several times to get all the yogurt/juice/cracker what have you off of it. Problem solved with this cleaner, which surprised me because I was skeptical that a citrus based cleaner would be able to clean thoroughly and not leave a greasy sheen (which I have encountered with other citrus based cleaners). It works incredibly well and is now my go to cleaner.

I also received their Toilet Cleaner and, for some baby cleaning, their Baby Sleepytime Bath. I wanted the toilet cleaner in particular because I feel that of all the household cleaners we have currently our toilet bowl cleaner is probably the worst offender in it's list of chemicals. Not something I enjoy having lurking under my kitchen sink. I was also pleasantly surprised by how well this product works and am glad to finally have an alternative to the toxic products we used prior. The Sleepytime Bath was also great, it's a liquid not a soap as I had been expecting - but this actually turned out to work quite well. It has a wonderful lavender smell and quite frankly I have been contemplating using it for myself instead of Skyler. He's become more of a shower kind of guy lately anyways.

The great thing about all of these products is that they are all made of very safe ingredients. The labels all stress their motto, No Nasty Chemicals. Something I can appreciate. If you visit their site you can read more about the reasons behind all of their product development as well as see what other products they have to offer. For the purposes of this giveaway though I will be giving away on of the three products I tested out. All you need to do is leave a comment letting me know which one you would like and a week from now (the 29th) I will have Skyler pull the winner's name from a hat. He's very unbiased, I promise. If you want a second chance to enter just link to this giveaway on your own blog and let me know that you did so. Happy Spring!

The final countdown

2009-03-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else out there a fan of Arrested Development? I look at the title for this and can't help but associate it with that song and Gob Bluth. Sorry, sidetracked. It's now only one hundred more days and then Mason baby is out, of course it is likely it will be less than that, but the number just seems so significant. Likely because as it's the end of the triple digits and the days will only speed up from now until d-day.

My nesting, and apparently baking bug is in full swing. I finally ordered the bedding for Mason's room (thanks tax refund!) and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival so that I may choose a paint color. I spent this past weekend taking out all of Skyler's 0-3 month clothing and washing it with a fresh round of Dreft. We also have already received some new clothing just for Mason himself, so I of course needed to wash and fold those as well. The smell of all this fresh baby laundry really takes me back to Skyler's early days, not to mention looking at all the tiny outfits. Skyler was near on nine pounds when he was born and those newborn clothes were still big on him. It's hard to imagine someone so small again...

The baking is something new, I think. I don't remember being a baking fiend last time around, but in the last two weeks I have had a major upswing (from my usual nothing) to baking a couple of loaves of banana bread, some from-scratch blueberry muffins, and Irish soda bread last night. Not sure where this came from, but at least Andy can't complain any more about the lack of activity my KitchenAid receives. For now at least:).

I am definitely starting to feel the slowdown too. I am getting bigger and clumsier, and carrying Skyler up the stairs is no longer a reasonable option. Fortunately he doesn't seem to mind not having this mommy valet service. Overall I am feeling good though, and the thought of getting the nursery put together does help me retain a little bit of energy. Thank goodness for nesting.

As the belly grows - 25 weeks

2009-03-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Little Mason man will be twenty five weeks (gestationally speaking) tomorrow. That means only fifteen more weeks(ish) until he enters into this side of the world. I can't believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by. It scares me to think how quickly we will now move to thirty and *gulp* beyond. I have definitely popped, I know this both by my own observation and the willingness of the general public to now make their own observations. I have been receiving a lot more comments from strangers lately, mostly women asking if I know what I am having. Though I did meet a lovely homeless man while I was parking my car today who inquired if it would be rude to assume I was expecting.

We also had a doctor visit today, all is going well and I am measuring right along if not a bit ahead. Technically I am measuring at 26 weeks, but again I am just going to keep sticking with the 26th of June as it's too much hassle to keep switching. Mason's little heart was ticking along at 150, he gave the doctor a run for her money as he was being a squirmy little bug and she had to keep readjusting to get an accurate reading. As Andy has noted, and I have noticed too, Mason is much more of a mover than Skyler was in utero. Skyler pulled lots of kicks and jabs, and by the end of it I seemed to constantly have a foot lodged in my ribs. Mason seems much more interested in full on body movements, lots of stretching,flipping, and scooting around. I also found out that thus far I have accomplished the astonishing feat of only gaining 13 pounds. This is practically a miracle if you compare it to the weight I have gained by this point with Skyler, you could pretty much triple that number and it would be accurate. Now if I can just keep it up...

Here's the belly:

Veinte y tres

2009-03-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Twenty three months today. Your dad says that after you turn two it will be a little odd to continue counting your age in months, he might be right. He also decided that yesterday night was his last night calling you our baby, you're the big boy now. In a few short months your brother Mason will be here to fill in the position of resident "baby" and he doesn't want you to feel like your title has been usurped. So from now on you are our big man, big boy - not a baby anymore. Not that you seem much like a baby anyways, nor have you for a while.

Your vocabulary and comprehension has exploded over the last month, even just the last week. You are much more specific when requesting something, asking for the blue towel or wanting to see the red cool car. Of course you will still be stubborn when in the right (or wrong) mood and refuse to "use your words" sometimes, but we know you have them as you use them all the time. Unfortunately you seem to have inherited my stubbornness. Your dad claims it's all from me, not a bit of his own. Though I disagree with him openly, I secretly agree. You have my stubbornness and my particular ways. You like things just so. Fortunately you have also inherited your father's goofiness and sweet nature to counteract these things. You are an amazing mix of the two of us, and an entirely amazing little person of your own.

In a month you will officially be a two year old. This last year, your second year, has flown by ridiculously fast. Of course a lot of things occurred over the course of this past year to make it disappear even quicker, but it seems like you hopped straight from one to two in a short period of time. You are such a funny and engaging little boy, I can't wait to see what more you will become. We love you, big boy.

I survived

2009-03-10T22:22:00.001-07:00

But just barely. Travel, as a pregnant lady, with a toddler generally sucks patootie. I packed, I planned, and the kiddo generally behaved pretty well; but I am still worn out, exhausted, and not looking forward to repeating this act in a few more weeks. The flights went pretty well, going there Skyler was pretty excited by the whole concept of flying on an airplane and all the new toys. He had a bit of a meltdown towards the end of the flight but conked out after about five minutes. Poor guy was just exhausted. Going back was a later flight and the boy acted liked we had fed him a pound of chocolate and some shots of espresso, he was all over the place. He must have gotten up and down out of his chair fifty times before deciding his time would be better spent opening/closing/then opening the window shade. Not sure where that manic energy came from, but towards the tail of the flight it ended the same with a meltdown and a passed out toddler. The trip itself was good, but took a toll on me mentally and physically. I have a LOT of family in New Mexico, and they were all new for Skyler. He handled it all with good grace, generally, but he was definitely out of sorts and was much more irritable and clingy than usual. Can't blame him really. I am glad we did it, but even more glad that it is over. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on how to survive toddler travel, they were very helpful. My addition to the list: don't do it, or if you do perhaps either you or your toddler should be medicated. Your pick. Phew, time for some rest.

The highlights of the trip: meeting Great Grandpa, and going home

Tips for toddler travel?

2009-03-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

So we have a flight to catch this weekend, and another one in a few more weeks, and it will be the first time we have flown with Skyler past the age of one. It will also be the longest flight we have taken him on thus far, the others being quick one hour jaunts and this one being a four hour marathon by comparison. I have a little backpack full of new goodies, munchies for the monkey, and plan on bringing a travel dvd player all in the hopes that our toddler will not be a terror. People can't give a pregnant lady too dirty of a look, right? Does anyone have some advice regarding how best to survive travel with an almost two year old, some sage bits of wisdom I might be missing in my preparations?

One of the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy

2009-03-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

Swelling, blech. I have officially had to take off my wedding bands because I am afraid that if I wait any longer they won't come off at all. At least without some sort of assistance. It's a little frustrating because with round one I really didn't experience any swelling until about a month before Skyler's arrival, and even then it was due to some extended car travelling. Lately I have been finding my poor feet swollen at the end of the day's work, and as demonstrated by the picture above my fingers are not exempt either. I have switched over my plain gold band that I received from Andy on my first Mother's day to my left ring finger, because it feels a bit odd wandering around visibly pregnant and sans ring. It has Skyler's name, dob, and gemstone (luckily a diamond) engraved on the inside of it - so it's passable. Still a bit sad I had to give this up so early. I also have some travel in my near future, including a flight to New Mexico this weekend, so this everyday swelling bodes nothing good post-flight I am sure.

Ninja nursery

2009-02-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

When we first found out Skyler was a boy, well actually even before we knew for sure that he was, Andy announced that he had the perfect theme for his nursery: dinosaurs. Andy always loved dinosaurs as a child and could think of no better decoration for his son's new room. I knew how much it meant to him, so I set about making it happen. Fortunately it wasn't too difficult as Babies r' Us carried a dino bedding set and the rest of the accessories to fill in the gaps. Who knew dinosaurs could be cute?

When we discussed the possible genders (and associated room themes) that this next baby might have, Andy again had a suggestion: ninjas. A ninja nursery. If you are so inclined try typing that into a google search and see what comes up. Not a whole lot of baby friendly options, let alone any convenient bedding and accessories at the local baby outlet. Again, I knew how much it meant to Andy so I set about making it happen. It hasn't been easy, and we are far from even setting things up, but the pieces are starting to fall into place. First, did you know that someone out there decided to make stuffed ninjas:

Again, who knew ninjas could be so cute? I also searched, in vain, for some sort of "cute" ninja wall art. I came up empty handed on that one, so I improvised. I made my own. They are lacking frames at present, but I am thinking I managed to make ninjas cuddly and appropriate for a child's decor.

The one area I really couldn't improvise or provide a specific ninja theme was the bedding, but I am thinking the below will help create an overall Asian feeling. Pandas are definitely baby friendly too, so that helps.

So I hope I have risen to the challenge my husband put before me. The dinosaurs turned out well, and I think the ninjas will too. Now the issue will be convincing Andy that the ninjas are for Mason, not him.We are currently sitting at twenty three weeks with baby boy number two, hopefully lots of time left to pull his room together for him. We are excited to be getting under way with planning, getting things set into action and preparing for Mason.

Also excited that now Skyler will give kisses to Mason when asked, we'll see how this translates once his brother arrives.

New duds

2009-02-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Jamie, over at Sticky Feet (part deux), Skyler received a new shirt today. I won her giveaway for a cute customized shirt from Little Uni, which now having seen just how cute said shirt is I am seriously considering buying his birthday shirt from the same place.

Skyler loooooves cars, so he really enjoyed his new car shirt. He put it to good use throughout the day. He 'cooked' with Daddy in his new shirt:

This provided Skyler with an opportunity to mess up his new shirt and gave Andy a way of disposing some of his expired spices. Everybody won, except me I suppose because I then had to wash the shirt.

Kiddo also road tested a new hat while cruising around in his spiffy new shirt. Thanks again Jamie, and to the rest of you be sure to stop by her site and wish her a big congrats. She just found out that her number two will also be number three as well - twins!

No GD for me!

2009-02-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

I found this out a few days ago, I just have been too busy to mention it. They did an early test for gestational diabetes at my last appointment since I did have GD the last time around. The nurse called me the next day with the great news that I cleared it this time! I was so excited, I really have been making a concerted effort to make this pregnancy different than my first. Having an active toddler to chase and no longer working from home makes a difference, but I also know that my eating habits changed a lot following my bout with diabetes when pregnant with Skyler. So wheeee! no needle pricks and glucose testing for me!

*On a side note, thanks for all the kind hellos for my last post. It feels good to be out in the open:)

Behind the curtain

2009-02-14T22:07:00.000-08:00

When I started this blog it was because I needed a separate space from the blog I had already begun when my first child was born. That forum was meant entirely for the friends and family members who were (then) so far away and required regular updating and of course pictures. It wasn't an appropriate place for me to express my feelings though, and in those early months I really did need somewhere to go with all of that. In a way the original blog is sterile in that it was entirely dedicated to the mister, not my feelings about breastfeeding or why my mother was driving me crazy that week or really anything about the deeper me. Not that I am all that deep, but still. A lot went on in that first year, and I just needed a place to express myself - anonymously.

I feel comfortable enough now that the idea of sharing my name, our names, doesn't seem so scary. I still worry that family members and people who I haven't shared this blog with intentionally might find me here, but then that is really a consequence I have been courting since putting my life and words out into the blogosphere. So hi, my name is Jeni. I'm married to Andy, and our first born son's name is Skyler. And this guy (direct your attention to uterus level):

...is going to be called Mason.

Veinte y dos

2009-02-13T21:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Mister-

Do you realize that there are only two months between now and your second birthday? Not that this period of time has anything to do with some monumental transition in how you behave, I am already convinced (and apparently so are you) that you are already a two year old at heart, if not perhaps three. You are such a big little man. You want to do everything for yourself, you have become very adamant in being treated as a little boy and not a baby. You no longer sit in a high chair at home, you sit in a regular chair. This has made dining out at restaurants a new challenge, as you abhor sitting in their high chairs and make no bones about expressing this. I just fear the freedom of a booster seat, you don't share this concern.

Your vocabulary is astounding, you enjoy pointing out everyday objects and telling us what it is. You will tell us that this is Daddy's coat, or this car is blue, and so on. It is strange and wonderful all at the same time to almost be able to converse with you. Of course some who meet you may not realize just how verbal you are because you have suddenly become very shy. I think this is because you have now become so very self aware, you know that you are you and you alone. This is an interesting development and I will look to see where it leads.

Despite this newfound social shyness you are just as adventurous as ever, if not more so. You have become quite the little climber, I think we need to get you to a jungle gym. Tables, chairs, the random baby furniture we have started to pull out for your brother - you try to conquer it all. I think you have truly come into your own in recognizing your little body's capabilities, and are ready to exercise it. You are very much a little monkey.

We love you so much and are so amazed by the affectionate and sweet little person you are becoming. Happy 22 kiddo!

Suggestions please

2009-02-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

So the husband and I generally agree on most things, we are very fortunate that we don't disagree on too many issues (especially the ones that count). Where this ends: baby names. Especially little boy names, which seeing as we are adding another male to this household we are right in the middle of just such a debate. I just shot down the name that BL loves, and consequently any names I might have had on board are now considered undesirable. We are back to square one. So any great boy names out there? Please, any ideas... we are really starting off with a blank slate here. We spent many months debating MR's name, very unpleasant, and have been through quite a few different baby books. I think we just need some fresh perspective. Suggestions?

Drumroll please

2009-02-11T21:30:00.001-08:00

It's a...

Another little boy! Come mid-late June MR will be receiving a little brother, and we will have a second son! We weren't even thirty seconds into the ultrasound when the Little Bean flashed us this:

Not shy at all, just like his big brother. The ultrasound tech said we were the perfect patients, Little Bean was very accommodating and allowed for lots of good clear shots and rolled over when needed. He was also given a very clean bill of health, all his bits and pieces (head, heart,spine, fingers and toes) are looking beautiful and just as they should. BL and I didn't even realize how much we needed to worry about this until she started checking for all the chambers in LB's heart. It was then that we remembered that we are not guaranteed a healthy baby, and we are very grateful that the ultrasound confirmed that all is well. Here are some more profile shots.

The little guy is taking after his big brother in more ways than one, he is already a whopping one pound. Seems small, but for his age it's a good couple of ounces more than average. Little Bean is currently measuring in the 85th percentile for his gestational age, which the tech actually estimated to be about four days ahead of where we thought we were at. It's always changing. MR always measured ahead too, so this is not entirely new territory for us. We are so thrilled with this news and so very excited to really get into planning for this new little boy.

While you're waiting

2009-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no big news from the ultrasound yet... that's not till later this afternoon. While you are waiting though here's some bits from dinnertime last night. I am very fortunate in that my husband cooks, and cooks well, so I have the luxury of spending that time with the kiddo while we wait for our yummy dinner. This was just MR bumming around and being his goofy self.

Comedy of errors

2009-02-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

It all started yesterday. Well maybe it all really started this past Monday when BL left for his business trip. It's his first with the new job and he was scheduled to be away until returning late tonight. Of course the day he left was the day we found out MR had pneumonia, and so started our week of containment and crankiness. It was generally bearable, aside from the extra tantrums and poopy diapers, until yesterday morning. I decided that we needed out of the house, even if in some small way, so I prepared us for an outing to grab some starbucks and go for a drive. The getting ready process finished we got out the door, which I promptly locked, and I started the car to defrost. While waiting for this to happen the kiddo and I walked to the mailbox and spent some time wandering around in the front yard. The car started looking habitable so I went to open the door. It didn't open. The car was running, and the doors were locked. With my purse, cell phone, extra set of keys and everything else that might have possibly saved me from this awful situation. It was a frosty 8:30 am and I was locked out of house and running automobile with my sick kid. Great. The one small fortunate thing in this all is that we only live about a mile from where my mom works, so I headed out with MR and walked to her work. This in itself was no small task as the MR is currently in a no-hand-holding phase so I had to carry him the whole way. Hello braxton-hicks, which by the way have already started. Fun thing about second pregnancies. We made it to her work, called AAA and half an hour later I was once again reunited with all my worldly possessions. We still went for starbucks.

Stickers, Raisins, and Pneumonia

2009-02-03T22:23:00.000-08:00

MR decided that having a regular ol' cold was for babies and went for something a little more interesting, like pneumonia. Fortunately it is a small case, but the poor little bug still has some nasty bacteria hanging out in his lungs. Hopefully not for much longer as the doctor has him on some antibiotics which should rid him of the cough he has been saddled with for the last two weeks and bring back our happy, healthy boy. Considering his already compromised immune system, we are on house arrest for the next couple of days. Seeing as 'outside' is one of MR's top most iterated words, this prospect is highly unattractive to him. Today's highlights: discovering he likes raisins, and rediscovering his already known love of stickers.

I know his face doesn't seem to be expressing enjoyment of the raisins, but he kept going back for that red container several times during the day. It was one of the few things he was willing to consume. Sick boys are picky. So here's to rest and recovery, and hopefully no more pneumonia.

Little Bean - 19 Weeks

2009-01-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

Holy wow, I cannot believe that this pregnancy is almost halfway over. Even more so I can't believe it's only another week and a half and then we get to find out what we're having, I can barely contain myself. The mister was very forthcoming in revealing his gender, I just hope the Little Bean is as helpful.

So at 19 weeks I am starting to feel unwieldy. I am not feeling big, per se, but I am beginning to notice a certain lack of balance and I even think I am starting to waddle. Not the full on pregnancy waddle, mind you, but it's not my usual forward movement. My hips and pelvis are also starting to feel loose and creaky, something that occurred closer to the end of my last pregnancy. Everything really does happen sooner the second time around.

I also have been experiencing increasingly regular nudges and bumps from this internal inhabitant. Since about week 15/16 I have been feeling pokes here and there, but now there are definite intervals during the day when the baby is up and moving. It's incredible to feel these things again, and even more so since I know how much more regular and intense their movements will become. Even though we are nearly fifty percent there it almost seems like it is all just starting now, I think the movements (and the bigger belly) make it even more real.

Have you ever

2009-01-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

Found this on another blog and thought it worth the effort to see just where I stand. The things I have done/experienced are in bold. So, have I ever...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Bathed in a river
7. Been to the Taj Mahal
8. Walked on a glacier in Alaska
9. Caught and held a snake (just the little ones:)
10. Spoke in front of a big crowd
11. Bungee jumped
12. Had a whirlwind love affair that broke your heart
13. Found an arrowhead or fossil
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Rescued an animal
16. Ate sweet breads, glands or tripe (blech, no and not likely)
17. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hiked to base camp on Mt. Everest
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Watched an animal being born
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Learned a foreign language
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Stayed up for more than 24 hours
31. Trained a dog to do cool tricks
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Can drive a stick shift car
37. Won over $1000 in a raffle or lottery
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Been serenaded (by a group of homeless drifters in college, strange story)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Broken a bone
47. Started your own business
48. Quit a job because you were totally unhappy
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the Eiffel Tower
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain passionately
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in
55. Been in a movie (believe it or not)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Joined a prayer group
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
62. Gone whale watching
63. Received flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken something extremely expensive
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80.Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Got a tattoo (not yet, waiting till I am done stretching)
83. Been to a coffee shop in Amsterdam
84. Seen the aurora borealis in person
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Toured the UN
95. Hiked to Machu Picchu
96. Swam in the Indian Ocean
97. Conversed with someone when neither of you spoke each others language
98. Dirty danced
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Acted in a play

38 out of 100, I suppose I have some work to do. Though I don't ever intend to get the chicken pox nor do I think BL would approve of my having a whirlwind affair at this point in time, so maybe I can just consider those off the list as well.

Nap regression

2009-01-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

We have a problem. The boy will not nap. It's a very new problem, one that we have only encountered the last two weekends... but it's a definite issue. I am pretty sure that the reason for this little setback is because of daycare and the MR's newfound routine, he has become used to the time and setting of these weekday naps and is now acting out in rebellion of something different on the weekends. Yesterday and today he spent the entirety of what should have been his naptime taking it in turn to yell, talk, and cry his way through. No sleeping. Of course when we tried to go on an outing later in the day he fell fast asleep in the backseat, because he was exhausted without his nap. He is still acting tired at the proper time of day, he just refuses to follow through with the obvious and sleep. *Sigh*. I am hoping that this will eventually rectify itself as we continue to forge on with our new schedule.

Sunshiney day

2009-01-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

With the husband out of town for the weekend and a sunny, yet still cold, day outside the kiddo and I made a break for it to a local park. He's been a little funny lately when we go to open play spaces, wanting me to hold his hand or get up and go with him instead of sitting on the sidelines. He was better about this today and we both enjoyed the time out.

Cleared!

2009-01-16T13:13:00.001-08:00

Well some more good news on the Bean front, I just got a call from my doctor's office and they already had the results back from my quad screen. All clear! Strangely this time around I wasn't even really thinking, or worrying, about these results. Everything in general is more laid back about this pregnancy, by necessity. I recall being much more hung up awaiting the results from this screen when pregnant with the MR. Fortunately even if had been a worrier I wouldn't have had long to dwell on it, they got back to me pretty fast. So yay healthy baby!

Also here's some proof that our kiddo is slowly on the mend from his ills. Poor bug continues to have an awful cough, but he is gradually improving in mood and is almost back to sleeping through the night. Long warm baths make most people feel better though.

Catching up

2009-01-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack in posting, I have been sick, tired, and generally uninspired this last week. No pictures for this one either, we all have been sick (with several colds) the last two weeks and none of us has been picture-worthy as of late. To play catch-up and help me feel a little less behind here is what's going on, in list form to make it easier.

-My grandma was doing really well for about two days and then she went downhill again. Her circulation pretty much disappeared in her right leg and yesterday they did have to amputate below her knee. This has been a big shock for my family as this grandma has been the very picture of health for quite some time, and lead a very active and independent life. This is going to mean some big adjustments, especially for her.

-We started out last Friday with a cold for me, and then Saturday the mister caught it. We spend the rest of the weekend miserable and snotty and only started feeling well again around Monday. Then BL brought home a new cold and, hooray, now we all can share! Blech.

-BL's first week of work went really well. Exhausting, but well. He really thinks he is going to enjoy this line of work, but it is taking a lot of brainpower and hard work to take on all the new information and tasks being given to him.

-Daycare, well yesterday was MR's start back to his second week of daycare. Monday and Tuesdays he will be spending with my mom, the rest of the week he goes in with us to daycare. BL finally got to drop him off today for the first time, and reported back that MR was a little upset but was showing him around and said hello to the caregivers. Small steps here, but hopefully we are getting closer to better.

-Little Bean had another check-up yesterday and I am happy to report that despite my feeling like a bloated balloon I have only gained two pounds so far! Two!! I think that by this time last time I had gained about twenty, hopefully experience does help a bit. Especially since I am really hoping to avoid the gestational diabetes this time around, which I get to test early for next appointment (yuck). But to counter that, next appointment (Feb. 11th) we will hopefully get to see what we are having. I am really excited for this because I think that with this I will really be able to start preparing for this baby, especially knowing which direction we are headed. The Bean itself is doing well with a very healthy heartbeat of 160.

So you can see, some ups and downs in the list but generally I am hoping we are on the road to normalcy - or our version of it.

Worst week ever

2009-01-09T09:00:00.001-08:00

Perhaps I shouldn't claim this past week as the worst week ever, as things can inevitably get worse and I know there are plenty out there with much greater problems than mine. But right now, here in my own little piece of this world, it was the worst week ever. And it has yet to end. The daycare thing is still horrible, though I do take comfort from the words of those who have been there before and tell me it will get better. For now though daycare means dropping my crying child off into the arms of a relative stranger every effing morning and walking away to his shouts for Ma feeling like the worst mother ever. Not my idea of a great way to start the day, and just one more added horror to this cruddy week. To add salt to my wounds my grandma is in the hospital. She went in early this week with a complaint with her stomach and they ended up finding a circulation problem with her leg which threatened to leave her with no choice but amputation if it didn't improve. Fortunately the last few days have seen improvement, but for a while there I was teetering on the brink of meltdown while considering this and realizing that in the midst of the week of my husband's starting his new job and our child entering daycare I would need to make an emergency flight to North Carolina. A pregnant lady can only take so much. Even with the knowledge that she is doing better and will hopefully leave the hospital sometime next week I am still so on edge. The next few weeks are only going to be variations of the same as we adjust to our new schedule and MR (hopefully) adjusts to his new daycare. But really, this sucks.

So much

2009-01-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

I have had a lot on my mind lately. I mentioned a while ago that BL got a new job, which is still a yay! but along with it has come a whole new notion of normal for our household. He just started this past Monday and we are on a new schedule, one that means changes for all of us. The changes for me aren't so bad, I do my showering at night now to avoid bathroom jams and running late in the morning. The differences that weigh most heavily on me are the one's for my little boy. He had his first day in daycare today, *sigh*. It's a great place, and I do have faith in their ability to take good care of him... but still it breaks my heart. He got to spend his first year home with me, and then almost his whole second year home with his Daddy. It was a great experience for all of us. Both BL and I had an opportunity to strengthen our connection with our son and enjoy the highs (and lows) of being a stay at home parent. This next step, being under the care of someone new, it's not a bad thing all in all. He will make new friends, which he loves other children, and he will experience new activities and engage in new experiences. I keep telling myself all the ups, but I still feel down. It will get better, right?

Little Bean, 15 Weeks

2009-01-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

Definitely getting rounder, and I know that more stretching is soon to come because I am starting to get that aching/growing feeling. It's really begun. I also keep waiting and wondering when I will feel my first official kick from this little one. Lately I swear I have been feeling fluttering movements in there (especially about an hour or so after dinner), but I still can't quite label it as definitely being the Little Bean moving.

I am starting to allow myself to think about plans for this baby, what we will need to buy and how the room will be set up. It all still seems so unreal, but the bigger belly doesn't lie and I should probably start preparing sometime (soon). I am even in the process of figuring out how to knit, as I have grandiose plans of knitting a blanket for the Bean. We will see how that turns out.

I am certainly feeling better now, though the shortness of breath and the gradual increase in body temperature has definitely set in. I forgot just how exhausting it is being pregnant, especially as the weeks go by. This is a really good point in the pregnancy though, I am looking forward to first movements and in five more weeks finding out if this really is a bean or beanette.

BL's near death experience

2009-01-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

This could alternately be titled: Don't mess with a pregnant lady. Don't worry, his experience wasn't as dramatic as it might have been.

MR has been needing a haircut for a while. He started looking shaggy a few weeks ago, and by a few days ago it had progressed to near-mullet status. BL, being the thoughtful father and husband that he is, took MR in for a trim while I was at work. He called to tell me as much after the appointment. The conversation went as follows:

BL: So, you're going to kill me, but I got MR's haircut...

MIP: And?

BL: And it rhymes with schmohawk and is a different color.

MIP: What do you mean a different color!?

BL: I mean his hair isn't black anymore

MIP: You better be kidding

BL: No, why, we were just having fun

MIP: *Silence*

BL: What?

MIP: *More Silence*

Fortunately for BL he cracked at this point, apparently I am sufficiently scary for him to not want to continue with the ruse any further. I did come home to this...

...which I could then find humorous, because it all washed out that night in the bath.

Three Christmases

2008-12-27T22:47:00.001-08:00

I am pretty sure I am not the only who just went through multiple Christmases, both a blessing and a curse. Well curse is a bit strong of a word, but seriously- I am exhausted. With the less than ideal weather around here what should have been a two day max experience just ended today, after the last rescheduled family event. Whew. Done. We did have a really great time this year though, Christmas and toddlers were made for each other. The MR received so many new toys, too many really, and he just had a blast going from one thing to the next and being around so much love and attention. We had our own small family Christmas the 24th, spent Christmas morning with BL's family, and then just had our belated Christmas gathering (and traditional tamale feast) with my parents today. Our big gift to MR this year was the Elmo Live doll, which he is in love with and has been from first sight. I have to admit it is a pretty amazing little toy, and most definitely the least annoying noisy toy we have ever bought him. A win for us all. He also got lots of cars, LOTS, and plenty of other very annoying noisy toys which are still residing at Nana and Pa's house (we just didn't have room for it all ;). The load was a little extreme from the mother in law, anyone else have this problem of too many gifts? She means well, but she suffers from too much free time and ready access to a credit card and online shopping. We are definitely setting a limit for next year as things got a bit out of hand this time around. For example, we are now the proud owners of a two hundred dollar dino paperweight. Well, it's actually this but as far as we can tell so far it doesn't do much and it scares the heck out of MR. He wants nothing to do with it. So we will hope to avoid this next year. Now with everything done and celebrations at an end, I need another break just to recover.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday celebrating whatever you do!

Finishing touches

2008-12-27T22:43:00.001-08:00

The cookies ended up a little abstract in design, but original and wonderful all the same (in this mother's opinion). Besides, the frosting still tasted good regardless of it's form:).

"Making" cookies

2008-12-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

Take note: when making sugar cookies with a twenty one month old child, you will not be the one in control. It is best to accept this ahead of time. It's more fun for both of you:).

Hello second trimester

2008-12-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

13 weeks, I am most definitely showing now, looking more pregnant than pudgy (I hope). I also had my first "breakthrough" with MR and the whole baby in the belly deal. He and I were sitting together on the couch when he laid his head on my stomach. I asked him if he was saying hi to the baby. He looked up at me, then stared really hard at my belly then said 'Hi Baby!'. He also then got down and start running around the downstairs randomly saying hi baby to other things as well, but it's a start.

Little Bean check-up

2008-12-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

I had my first official appointment with my new OB today, and things went well. It will take some time to get used to my new doctor and assess my comfort with her, but so far so good. Everything is well with the little bean, we did get to hear the heart beat today. Somewhere in the 160 range. It was reassuring to hear them in there, the weird thing is that now that I am feeling better (KNOCK ON WOOD) I almost forget that I am pregnant sometimes and the reassurance is nice. Of course there are still obvious signs, mood swings for one, and I am definitely still pooched out there. It's just that without the constant haze of nausea/exhaustion and prior to feeling any little kicks and punches... it's really a pregnancy grey area. My due date got switched, again, I am back to being due on June 26th. So that puts me at a little over 12 weeks now. I will post an updated belly shot for week 13. For now I am just glad that things are safely under way.

Winter wonderland

2008-12-14T19:34:00.001-08:00

One of my greatest reliefs in moving out of Spokane was the knowledge that I would never again have to face a winter full of snow. That said, a bit here and there isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially when it is so cute to see my little boy play in it. No other words really for this, but lots of pictures (and a video!). Enjoy.

Veinte

2008-12-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

Dear MR-

Yesterday you turned twenty months old. See, I am only one day late this time. You can attribute this to your old mom feeling better in the nausea department and once again staying up past 8 pm.

I cannot believe that in only four months you will be two years old. I suppose it is time I started accepting reality and the truth that you do indeed get bigger, and fast. This second year has gone by quickly. You pick up new skills and words now like it is old hat, and we can barely keep up with you physically and sometimes mentally. You are becoming capable of mental feats that I really didn't expect to see before your fifth, let alone your second birthday. You have started to procrastinate before your bedtime. You are a smart kid, you know what's coming. So instead of willingly allowing us to trundle you off to sleep, with a hug a kiss and a book, you dawdle. You want to say goodnight to the stars, and check out your books, sometimes you will abandon us all together as we watch the tail of your towel fly out of the room. This isn't play to you, you know that you are avoiding bed time. And for now we let you, because you're awfully cute, but I can tell this logical acuity spells trouble for us down the line.

Here's something else you like to do:

You love cars, and by love I mean you are completely and totally engrossed in all things automobile. You have several hotwheels and a couple of odds and ends cars and trucks you like to play with. By the end of the day you are generally worn out, but you will still pick up your cars and lay yourself down and drive your little autos around on the carpet. Your poor father is at a loss with this love of yours, as he generally defines the difference between cars by their color not their make. Here's hoping your affection doesn't extend much past blue cars and red cars, for his sake.

Happy twenty months kiddo, we love you so very much.

A post through pictures

2008-12-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

So I have more pictures to post than words really, so I am just going to use my pictures to help me post. Here we go...

We finally managed to decorate our tree. The poor thing sat on our doorstep and got rained on for a bit, but now it's up and decorated (at least above toddler height). We did have some kid safe decorations down at MR's level, but he picked all of those right off. So the tree looks a bit uneven, but it works for us. We also don't have a corral around it at present, the kiddo has been really good about leaving it be. So far so good.

So glad that we have this little park just a few blocks from our house. It was great in the warm weather and now even in the winter it's a lot of fun to take the kiddo there. He comes back wetter and muddier, but it's a great way to spend time and energy.

Did you know that if you ask nicely the st@rbucks people will put your child's chocolate milk in a mini-cup? MR LOVES this. He covets our cups when we pick something up, and now he can have his very own.

And in news that I don't have a picture of, my husband got a JOB! After eight months of searching, waiting, trial and frustration he was offered a job yesterday. And not just a job, but a great job! It's three blocks away from where I work presently, so we can carpool, and it's a great fit for him. This is an amazing early Christmas present for us, a dual income- hooray!

Oh tannebaum

2008-12-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

It's definitely time for things to start looking, and feeling, like Christmas around here. BL has many (regretful) memories of his father procrastinating to the last minute for getting their tree. As a consequence he has always been very insistent that we go out and get ours as soon as possible, once Thanksgiving passes of course. So we went out this weekend and picked ours up. This little holiday outing went WAY better than our pumpkin picking experience. MR has come miles from where he was (or wasn't) in the hand holding department, and was very mindful when I asked him to stay near me or hold my hand when walking through the trees. He also loved the experience, the combination of which made it all much more enjoyable for me. I also didn't have to be the one cutting or carrying away the tree, so that helped.

Just his size
Looking for the perfect fir

Making sure it's baby proof

Helping Daddy do boy stuff

Never wanting to be left out of the fun

10 down, 30 to go

2008-12-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

I suppose it was technically ten weeks yesterday, but I won't worry about being too particular. So here's the baby bump:

Looking somewhat reminiscent of what I recall sporting around month five with the MR. Eh. I am definitely feeling better as of late, and BL mentioned that he is glad to have his (generally) pleasant wife back. I am fortunate that he has a strong memory of what last time around was like, so none of this is unexpected for him. He has been most accommodating and his rule of thumb is to keep me fed. This, he says, was his greatest piece of knowledge he gathered from preggo number one. Hungry = even more grouchy/bitchy/intolerable. He's a smart man, that one.

Here's an aerial view, for anyone that might wonder what I see when I look down everyday. It's still crazy to me when I see such physical evidence of the process occurring inside of me. It's exciting and reassuring, but still just as wondrous as the first time.

Fixed

2008-11-30T17:19:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the lovely negative post previous, I just so rarely have time and/or energy to post lately and when I finally sat down to remedy that... well Blogger poo'd on it. Bleh. Anways, things seem to be in working order now, so I have resolved to get over it.

Thanksgiving around here went really well, we had my parents over to our house and BL cooked. Have I ever mentioned that he is a fabulous cook, and he makes me yummy dinners every night? I am a lucky lady, especially since I am not very culinarily inclined. Anyways, he had the honor of cooking up the bird this year and it turned out great, see:

So that went well, though the kiddo was a little overwhelmed from the big day and didn't have much of an appetite for the fare we put in front of him. Guess he is more a chicken guy.

Also, to update from a few posts ago: the doctor's appointment went well. I didn't get to hear the heartbeat as it was mostly a history appointment and they generally don't like to use the doppler until after ten weeks or so. I was a little disappointed by this, but the rest of the appointment went really well and I ended up leaving feeling reassured. Since we moved I had to find a new OB-GYN down here, thus far I am pretty pleased with my selection. I will be going back for another appointment in a little less than two weeks and am actually looking forward to that. Things have been going relatively smooth in the baby-brewing, my nausea really only seems to rear around certain foods (and smells) and the exhaustion has really toned down. All in all I can't ask for much more.

Eff this

2008-11-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me why my header is the size of a thumbprint... after I spent an hour making it... after I finally decided to sit down and fix my layout post-blogger-fritz... and now this. The mini header will have to do until I have the time and patience to try and figure this out.

Nervous

2008-11-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

For likely no reason whatsoever I am nervous about my doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. I think, no I know, it is just due to this whole pregnancy being so new and early in the process. Of course I have certainly felt pregnant for a while now (hello huge sore boobs, morning sickness, and exhaustion), but before you really see that little face on a regular basis or even feel their little kicks and hits... it all seems so hard to believe. And how ridiculous that the other reason I am nervous is because I have been feeling better lately. The exhaustion seems to have lifted, and my nausea has become manageable if not really all that bad. I should be grateful, not worried, but still. Before the heartbeats and the ultrasounds these are the things that remind me, oh so regularly, that something is going on in there. Perhaps I am just totally crazy? Tomorrow's visit is really just a routine history visit but I am hoping to at least hear the heartbeat, which would do so much to put me at ease. I forgot just how nerve-wracking this whole process can be sometimes.

To dispel the general crazy bent of this post, here's some cuteness from this past weekend. We took the kiddo to see Santa for the first time and miracle upon miracles there was no line! This was likely due in part to it being before Thanksgiving and also a Sunday morning. I am not one to complain though. The MR was really much more interested in Santa's surroundings (fake snow, gingerbread men) than Santa himself but he did consent to being held on Santa's lap. We even managed to get a precursor to a smile, at least he wasn't crying.

Then from later in the day, the MR decided that what's good for the goose is good for the gosling. BL was having a chocolate sucker and the little bug wanted to "share". I think this was the first time he had ever had a sucker, he managed to make a mess of himself. Cute nonetheless.

8 weeks 3 days, as the belly grows

2008-11-22T15:02:00.001-08:00

So regardless of the fact that the little bean in my belly is only about the size of a gummy bear, according to internet sources, my belly is definitely exhibiting signs of residency. I was looking back at some of the early pictures I had from my pregnancy with the MR (of which there are sadly few prior to about 5-6 months) and things seem to be on track. I guess I just show earlier.

For the last half of this past week things in the nausea/exhaustion department have become a little more manageable. I learned from last time that it is highly helpful for me to regularly dose myself with snacks, and this time around I am finding that those snacks are better received if they are not a)sugary or b)full o' sodium. I am already starting to be more careful about these two, as I am hoping to forego a round two with the gestational diabetes, but I have also noticed that my body (and temperament) are less receptive to these kind of snacks. So lots of apples, yogurt, and string cheese for me. Not necessarily a bad thing. I am not sure if this more careful monitoring of my meals is responsible for the slight lifting of the fog I had been trudging through these last few weeks, but I will take what I can get.

So what do you think, does this look like the belly of an eight(ish) week pregnant lady?

P.S. Yes, those are already maternity pants, they are just more comfortable, k?

Diez y nueve, belated

2008-11-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Mister-

So I am a little late this month, seven days actually. Time flies by so fast lately it hardly occurred to me that I had missed this update until today when I was remembering that you are indeed nineteen months old now. Not going to lie kiddo, I also have been have a rough couple of weeks incubating this new sibling of yours. So it has been hard to blog, or to remember to blog, when I generally fall asleep about a half hour after you do at 8:00.You are such a big boy now, and here's how I know. You say please and thank you when you want and get something. You have a name for so many things now, always pointing out the apples, airplanes, and keys in our world. When climbing the stairs, you now want to "walk" up them, using the railing as your guide. You are getting better about holding our hands, and enjoy getting out an about to see the great wide world. You have also become very self aware, even telling us when you need to go to the bathroom. True, sometimes you tell us when it is too late, and you have already committed the act, but you are really very good about this. The M&M treat you get after using the potty might have something to do with that.

A little story about your awareness, and a small character portrait of you at this point in time. We went out for an ice cream run the other evening, Daddy insisted that you should get a cone. No bowl and spoon for this little boy. Considering that the ride home was conducted in near pitch black conditions, and this was your first encounter with ice cream in a cone; well the results were a bit messy. It was worth it though, regardless of how sticky and chocolatey you came out of it. We got you out of the car and into the house, where the light let you see the brown mess that had become your little fingers. You insisted that I clean them. You don't really care to be messy. I wiped off your hands but only took a cursory swipe at your face since it was almost bath time, and you were ready to move on to more interesting things. Come bath time though you stood up in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, like every night, and you came face to face with what should have been your clean and smiling likeness. Not so. You knew that you were looking at yourself, but your self did not look quite right with all the smudges and smears. Before we could move any further forward with the teeth brushing (a favorite activity, I must add), you wanted your face cleaned and back to normal. As I wiped away the chocolate you kept pointing to different spots that I had missed or not gotten yet. Finally you saw you again, and that made you happy. It may not seem like a big thing, but it just shows me once again what a smart and sensitive little person you are becoming.

You are also a big boy, size wise. We so often see other children your age who are literally almost a foot shorter than you are. You are hovering around three feet, and weigh in at about thirty pounds. You also wear a size 8 shoe. Big boy.

Thank you for another good month bug bear, we love you.

That was fun, not

2008-11-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

So I had some weird glitch take out my blog list (and mess up my layout). Not what a tired pregnant lady wants to deal with at the end of the day. I tried to recreate my blogroll from memory, but if you knew you were there before and don't see your name now- let me know please? And if you weren't there before, and would like to be, then speak up now.

Reason #137 why he will be supremely embarrassed by me later in life

2008-11-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, a picture of my child on the potty is the ultimate in embarrassing momness... but still, look at how cute he is being a big boy! And that hat, oh man, the ranger hat. He got it as part of a full outfit from his Nana and he loves wearing the hat, all the time. Even, apparently, while on the commode. We have started trying to get him to use a seat reducer on the big potty and it really seems to work. He has even come close to an accident and then stopped, told us he needs to potty, and then waited until he was sitting to go! Very exciting, and he is so proud of himself.

In other news, I am exhausted. All the time. I am exhausted right now, but I figured it has been almost a week since I pushed myself to stay up past 8:00 and even used the internet. No promises, I will likely be asleep in twenty minutes. But oh my goodness, this pregnant thing is wearing me out. Alright, even more tired just thinking about it. Expect another post from me again in likely another week, I'll be sleeping.

Already?

2008-11-07T20:41:00.001-08:00

A little over six weeks along and I am already starting to pooch out... I don't recall this occurring so early last time. Must be the result of my tummy muscles taking a beating from the MR's residence. Or maybe just bloating? We shall wait and see.

Potty training?

2008-11-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

MR went pee today, amazing I know. But it was, because instead of his usual diaper wetting he went pee in the potty. He's one and a half years old and he went pee in the potty. Incredible. This kid just keeps surprising us. Not to denigrate our parenting abilities, I think we are perfectly wonderful parents, but the mister certainly makes things easier on us. He is such a clever little kiddo, and so observant. Lately he has begun to let us know, sometimes, when he has to go or when he does go. He is fully aware of what he has down there (just ask him where his "peh-peh" is, he's very forthcoming), and he seems pretty interested in dealing with it like the big people do. Today he told BL "Ah peh-peh" (I pee pee), to which Andy asked him if he needed to go. MR ran into the bathroom and with BL's assistance used the toilet. He, and we, were very excited. Andy went out and got him his own little potty, which he has already asked for (and used) three times since. Don't worry, we do possess a healthy amount of hubris and aren't going to count our chickens before they hatch- but it is pretty cool that he is even approaching the subject of toilet training. And with enthusiasm. We figure we will strike while the iron is hot and see where it gets us. Having number one trained by the time number two arrives would be almost too much to ask for, but it won't stop us from trying.

Relief

2008-11-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of relief on a few different levels. Of course last night was really when I let out the sigh I had been holding in all day, waiting and hoping to see what I did. There is so much going wrong in this world, in this country, at this point in time that it is enormously relieving to see such a big right take the stage. I think both Obama and McCain, in their acceptance and concession speeches respectively, were very gracious. The only point I ever truly found to fault McCain on was his choice of Palin, so watching his well worded acceptance of defeat was bittersweet. And I couldn't have asked for Obama to have said it better than he did, in promising to not be the champion of only his supporters- but to be President and defender to us all. BL pointed out to me that Bush, in his acceptance, said quite the opposite. A little bit of unity will be nice.

On a more personal level, today brought relief in the end of several days of worry. I started getting some brown spotting on Monday, following a very strenuous weekend. This NEVER happened with my pregnancy with the MR. I know what everyone tells you, that brown is nothing to worry about as long as it stays brown and no other symptoms show up. But being pregnant and having anything unexpected show up down there is scary. I immediately went into lock down mode, ceasing anything but necessary physical movement. I freaked out. I called the doctor and spoke to the advice nurse, who assured me with all the words I knew she would. What she did offer me that gave me a chance to truly feel better was an appointment for an ultrasound today. I went in this morning, BL and the mister in tow, hovering between fear and anxiety. Thank god we saw this:

Our teeny tiny little bean baby, and their itty bitty heart beating away. The technician did both an external and a transvaginal ultrasound, and it was with the internal exam that she found the little heartbeat for us. I was starting to become more worried when the tech began to explain to me that it might be too early to even see a heartbeat, the one thing I really needed to see. Fortunately that wasn't the case. We saw it, beating away at a happy 109. What she also found in there was the cause of my spotting. Apparently I suffered a small (maybe 3/4 of a cm) subchorionic hemorrhage, likely from all the extra activity over the weekend. It was a huge relief to have an actual answer, and visual proof to boot. The spotting is still unsettling, but it remains brown and it should temper down within a week or so. One other finding from the ultrasound, they adjusted my projected due date from June 20th to July 1st, as I am looking closer to six weeks as opposed to seven at this point. BL's birthday is on the 6th, and doesn't seem keen to share, so we shall see how that plays out.

And now, for the relief of sleep.

Halloween!

2008-10-31T22:27:00.001-07:00

Halloween was amazing, the kiddo was amazing, the whole experience: amazing. I had no idea Halloween could feel like this again, like being a kid. This year truly was a completely new experience, especially compared to the nonevent that it was last year. The MR was totally enthused by the whole energy of the day. We had family (and a few friends) over for the night and the mister took a while to warm up to so many people in his space. After a bit, and really once the trick or treaters started showing up, he just came alive. He was so excited to see all the kids! We didn't take him trick or treating this year because frankly we didn't think the experience would count for much in his book. He might have just enjoyed the opportunity to ring doorbells. However, we definitely are beyond pleased with how things turned out the way we went. He stood sentry by the door waiting for more new faces to show up. He would screech 'Hi Guys!' and 'Bye guys!' when someone would come up, and he even managed to say trick or treat a few times by the end of the night. He also figured out how to say candy, he's a quick learner when properly motivated. BL and I were just enthralled by the gregarious and enchanting little creature we had on our hands. The night really was wonderful. See for yourself (don't miss the video at the end).

Making a Jack-O-Lantern

2008-10-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

It suddenly occurred to us, on the eve of Halloween no less, that we needed to actually carve our pumpkin. It was getting on towards the mister's bedtime, but we figured that such an occasion is worthy of staying up just a little bit longer. We were right, that extra half hour was so worth it. It is incredible just how different the experience of Halloween is this year is compared to last. For one thing, the kiddo was SO much more interactive with the different elements of it all. This included the pumpkin carving. He wanted to touch, smell, and really process what the pumpkin was. And he certainly wanted to be a part of the carving process, though he was good enough to stand back while mommy did the actual cutting.

Too lazy for a title

2008-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Some random things. I wanted to thank everyone for their responses to my Two and Through post, it was really insightful to hear your different opinions especially coming from so many varied backgrounds. BL and I have come to the conclusion that even we won't know for sure what we want until we get there. We will go through this (hopefully healthy) pregnancy and then wait, a year and a half maybe two years, and see how we feel then. I have always used pills for birth control, something I really dislike and honestly was never very good at maintaining. So following this pregnancy I will likely look into something a little lower maintenance such as an IUD. I think we are both leaning towards the comfort of having only two, but then who knows how we will feel several years down the line. I agree with what many of you voiced, that a tubal ligation or vasectomy seems scarily permanent so early in the game. So we will bide our time and wait to see if those measures are truly warranted for us.

One other random item that made my day, I filled my tank for only $40.00 today! It's usually $60.00. I kept watching the dollars move up while pumping thinking that this was the slowest tank of gas ever, since I had been sitting there a while and it had only reached $35.00. Then *click*, all done at 40! I knew prices had declined, but seeing $2.67 on the pump and feeling twenty bucks richer sure felt good. How much is gas in your neck of the woods?

2008-10-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

So is it sad that three days away from the internets can make me feel like I have dropped off the side of the earth? I am thinking it's probably a bad sign. However, I am glad to be back and see that I have missed some wonderful news in my absence. Ann(ie) decided to jump on the baby number two bandwagon, she wasn't kidding about that blog water ;). Go over and wish her well on this exciting news!

The reason for my absence, and lack of blogging, these past few days was a beach trip. One would think that going to the beach in late October wouldn't make sense, but then that would show just how un-Northwest you are. The beaches around here are always cold, so really a late year beach trip doesn't vary a whole lot from one done earlier in the spring or summer. You still wouldn't want to get in the water. We went out with the extended family to Lincoln City this past weekend to rest and recuperate- and to give the kiddo his first beach experience. He loved it! All of that open expanse, and the wa-wa, oh the wa-wa. That's water, for the un-initiated. He ran like the wild man he is, up and down the beach. Then up to the water, and away from the water when it came crashing back in. We also took him to the Oregon Coast aquarium, another thing he loves. MR loves feesh, he really enjoyed looking in all the tanks though he wasn't quite brave enough to try touching any of them yet. We had a great time, mostly just from watching our little mister experience all these new sensations and wonder at the little (and big) things this world has to offer. The blonde people in the following photos are BL's older siblings, fyi.

*The early preggs tiredness has caught me up, can you tell?

Two and through?

2008-10-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

So with this new development of ours, the little bean, BL and I have come upon a new topic of discussion: will we be done after two? Way back before marriage and especially before babies we both agreed that we wanted three kids. Of course it is easy to throw out a number before you truly enter the reality of parenthood and experience all that follows. BL comes from a family with three kids, I come from one with just two. From my own personal experience, I thought I wanted three because between just me and my brother there didn't seem to be enough. So I thought about the concept of three, and when BL deemed this his ideal number I assumed that this must just be how it was meant to be. After having the mister I knew that I wanted another one. True, there were some days where I wondered if I could truly embrace the concept of another child (and starting it all over again), but I knew deep down that I wanted him to at least have one sibling. I wanted him to have more to his family than just me and his dad. So here we are, things willing, beginning down the road to give him that. Which has brought us back to revisit this topic. I had started to think it over inside my own head this past week, and apparently so too had BL as he brought it up last night. Frankly, I think I could be content with two. We really will need to reconsider what, if any, deep reasons we had for wanting three in the first place.

One important reason for us to really be having this discussion is because the way that this current pregnancy culminates will have a lot to do with our future family planning. MR was a c-section baby, due to my gestational diabetes and his large size. I am already actively working to try and avoid another round with the diabetes, though my genetics may have more to say about it than I do. Having a big baby will probably be inevitable, BL himself was 11 lbs and his siblings were all no less than 10 themselves. I was a puny 7 lbs, but considering that MR was nine it seems our children are destined to fall somewhere in the middle ground. I am not gunning for a VBAC, if it happens it does, but I won't cling to the hope of one. I will wait to see where we are at as things progress and we will make a decision based on what is best for the baby. If things end in another c-section and we are certain that we will only want two children, then there is nothing barring my getting my tubes tied while they are in there. This, however, is a very permanent decision. Surprisingly, considering his prior vociferous objections, BL has willing volunteered to get snipped himself if we come to that decision, seeing as his could always possibly be reversed. This is a lot to think about.

What is everyone else's opinion? Are you one and done, or do you hope to add one or more to the family? I know how I am feeling, I am just wondering what other people's reasoning for adding, or not, to their numbers. Thoughts?

Pumpkin patch, the marathon

2008-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch with some friends on Saturday and had a lot of fun, and a lot of exercise. This was our first true experience with a highly mobile toddler in a busy public space. It was exhausting. There was so much to see and do, the MR was just buzzing with energy as he moved from the goats to the haystacks to the pumpkins- and back to the goats. He loves goats apparently. It was definitely a fun trip and we really enjoyed getting together with our friends and our kiddos, but we are really coming to recognize the full force that is The Toddler. BL and I had to tag team who would follow/chase the kiddo as he bounced around the wide open spaces. We are starting to work on having him hold our hands in public, but with the combination of fresh air and livestock- it hasn't exactly stuck yet. By the end of it I was really dragging because it had been far too long between snacks, I forgot just how quickly I become unpleasant if not regularly dosed with food when pregnant. We finally wrangled MR and our oversized pumpkin into the car and no sooner were we out of the parking lot the little guy zonked. He had a full day, and I couldn't blame him. Here's the pictures from the day.

Some clarity

2008-10-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

That definitely looks positive to me, right?! So I am so excited, and scared, and excited by this new development. We were trying for this, so it really didn't come as any surprise, but it is still just so shocking. I remember being unable to comprehend that my body was actually capable of such a thing the first time around, the disbelief apparently doesn't lessen the second time .

I really knew that I was for about the past two weeks. The signs have hit me early and many this time. I am soooo much hungrier lately, mah boobs have definitely gotten bigger (they aren't much to start with, so it's noticeable), and I have had a touch of nausea here and there. Luckily no major sickness yet, but then with MR I didn't really start getting morning sickness until about 11-12 weeks. By my estimate I am not quite a month along right now. Funny thing about having a c-section, it has left me incredibly aware of when my body is entering it's monthly progress. I start to feel crampy and bloated about a two weeks prior to my period, after so many months of this new activity I realized it must be when I am ovulating. This never happened prior to the section, I think it is just a result of my scar tissue flaring up with all the extra hormones when that happens.

I do still need to go to a doctor for actual medical confirmation, but I am thinking the sticks (and my body) don't lie. I know that all the emotions I am feeling now are only going to play out more and more so through these next nine months, but right now I am just going to grab onto the strongest one and be excited. Excited for me and my family adding another little one, for MR having a baby brother or sister, and for all the things that I know are to come in this process. Hooray for little bean!

P.S. Please ignore the dirtiness of my bathroom mirror and my bralessness. It's a picture for posterity, not a demonstration of hygiene.

Do you see what I see?

2008-10-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

It's very faint, but then I am also very impatient and took these today which is still about four days or so prior to when I should be expecting the monthly visitor. I was right, I knew this time around too. I just was waiting for some sticks to confirm it. Making a doctor's appointment tomorrow to check up and make it official. Number two just might be on the way!

In the meantime

2008-10-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

We have been continuing to move at a pretty frenetic pace around here with the house stuff, having a housewarming in the wings just a few weeks from now we are back to working on projects in an attempt to pull even more together before everyone sees it. We have already accomplished a lot, so it doesn't seem as pressing to finish these few more tasks- it would really just be the icing on the cake.

This past weekend we had some really exciting tasks, organizing the garage and cleaning out the spare bedroom which had quickly become the junk room. Though it wasn't as fun as decorating or painting a room, the results were definitely rewarding. Having a functional and organized garage space really helps life feel more manageable. I am not reminded of the mess that waits everytime I take the trash out, and now all of MR's old baby stuff is tidily organized in tupperware containers just awaiting it's future use.

Unfortunately having chosen so many of our paint colors already, as well as having painted so many rooms, we are now really starting to get down to the nitty gritty with filling in the remaining spaces. BL has been kind enough to give a pretty liberal amount of leeway in directing this process, but now that the spaces are fewer it seems that the decision process is a little more heated. I am trying to come to terms with this, in my realization that he has a say too... I just haven't been very good at it just yet. Ultimately we will figure something out, at the moment we just need to take a step back and try to find some common ground.

In kiddo related news, following his little stomach bug he had a little relapse in his eating habits. He generally would try anything we would give him, at least once. After he was sick he staunchly refused anything that wasn't in puree form, and even that was a battle. We finally put our foot down and left it at, he will eat when he is hungry. So we went through a week long process of putting food in front of him and then waiting. And often being rejected. Finally, in the last few days, our happy eater seems to have returned. BL made a yummy lemmongrass chicken soup the other night and MR slurped that right up. He has continued to resume his willingness to consume since then (knock on wood). I am beginning to understand how some toddler's palates become so limited, they are picky little buggers sometimes.

Finally, and most exciting, there's some good news over in the Soupbowl household! Go over and congratulate Carrie and family on their exciting development(s).

Uno y medio

2008-10-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

One and a half! MR is eighteen months old today, meaning six months ago he was just turning one year old and in six months from now he will turning two. Every day his little boy body reminds me that he is getting bigger, smarter, and grander in every proportion. He runs with gleeful abandonment of one who has yet to learn that running can be tiresome, he uses two word sentences regularly, he works to figure out how things work and is a credit and a joy to us.

He is a strong willed and determined little boy, BL says he is very particular like his mother. He likes to put things where they belong and use items as he knows they are supposed to be used. This doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy tossing things and making a mess too. He is really starting to understand the art of conversation, especially the correct context of words. He frequently says thank you (day too) when we give him something he wanted, or take away something he didn't. He recognizes so many objects, and likes to point them out to us with relish. He dances like a fiend, climbs like a little monkey, and sings like an out of tune jukebox. Another thing inherited from me, but definitely from BL as well.

We are so proud and amazed at what a little person he has become. He is sweet and thoughtful, and unfailingly personable. We are so lucky to have such a healthy and happy boy. He gives us kisses at night and always welcomes each day with open arms. Happy one and a half bug bear.

Wordless Wednesday: Hershey kisses

2008-10-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

I'm it!

2008-10-06T21:13:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I did one of these, AND I finally-finally figured out my wireless. So what better way to celebrate than to kill time with a time honored internet tradition!? Kristine asked, so here we go, 7 random facts about me:

1-When I was first pregnant with MR I knew. We had gone through a couple of negative pregnancy tests, shows what they know, and BL began to think that I really wasn't pregnant. But I let a few weeks pass, knowing all along, and sure enough- Pregnant! I am wondering if it will be the same next time around...

2-I hate the numbers 4 and 34, and will do what I can to avoid them. I can't tell you why I dislike them so much, but I most definitely do.

3-I am really apathetic towards food. I truly enjoy a good meal, when it is prepared for me. If BL wasn't such a wonderful cook and I was largely responsible for my own consumption I would likely be living off of quick fix meals and boxes.

4-When I was in high school my aerobics teacher was an overzealous advocate of women's safety and preparedness for every possible terrible situation we might ever find ourselves in. She was always telling us the latest awful story that had been passed around in an e-mail forward. One story she told us was about a man who would hide under parked cars and wait for women to pass close enough for him to slash their Achilles tendon- then to take advantage of them. I have since never walked up to my parked car without glancing underneath the adjacent cars, just to make sure.

5-My bad for me but oh so good treat of choice is a Hostess apple pie. I know that those things are entirely artificial, but they are so damn delicious.

6-The current tally of pictures I have taken of MR since his birth (according to Picasa) is a little over 2,000. I have a problem.

7-BL and I are high school sweethearts. We started dating half way through senior year of high school and we continued dating through our college years to get married a year after graduation.

Now for the tags, and you're it:
-Soon to be mother of three, Kristi
-Almost mother of two, Jessica
-Mama to mini-Hunk, The Burp Cloth Babe
-My go-to source for new goodie recipes, Jamie
-Newly mother to three, Mary
-My fellow Northwester, Ann(ie)
-Little Elvis' mama, Meredith

Why I hate the stomach flu

2008-10-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

I don't suppose the title really requires more explanation, I am pretty sure nobody really likes the stomach flu. Nobody in my household does, especially after this past weekend. It started out fairly innocuous this last Thursday. We had noticed that the MR had started grabbing at his little tummy and making sounds of discomfort, we had an inkling then that things might be going downhill from there. You never know though, the kiddo has started practicing some pretty strange new skills lately- running around with his hands held back like he thinks he might take off, trying to walk around on his knees, etcetera. I hoped, in vain, that this might just be another new quirk. Not so. By the end of the day he had entered full fledged tummy bug status, all unpleasantness that that entails included. I don't need to go into details, you all know what a stomach virus does to a little intestinal tract. Unpleasant. Noises that I never thought possible came out of my poor little bug, and to make it even better he shared the sickness with his father. So that was my weekend, taking care of my little man and my big man, both felled by a highly uncomfortable griping of the bowels, incorporated with a fever to boot. They are both now on the mend and seem to be feeling much better. I can only hope that this doesn't signal the beginning of flu season in our house. Blech.

Wordless Wednesday: Home repairs

2008-10-01T09:14:00.000-07:00