Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Am I a 12 Year Old in an Adult Body?

I was talking with our 12 year old neighbor the other day...turns out that she and I like the same television shows...

Question: Does this say more about me or about what type of shows her parents let her watch. Dear Husband seems to think it says more about me...I tend to agree...

Thoughts?

Fear

I am scared. Scared that this new baby who I have yet to meet will take time away from my first baby. Scared that I won't be able to love the new baby as much as I love my first baby. I am dealing with the second fear, but still feeling the first one strongly. I am so worried that my baby girl will be hyper aware of the time that the new baby takes her Momma away from her. I am afraid that she will feel less loved and that will translate into bad feelings in her head. I am scared of so many things.

I know that so many parents have done this before me, and many more will do it after me, and that everyone says that you just make room to love and you just make time for each of them, but, somehow I just don't understand how baby #2 can make you feel as much as baby #1, but I hope that all of these fears are unfounded...I guess we'll see.

This post says what I am trying to say so much better than I can...she really captured the feelings...this one too...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

4 Days in the Life

So, due to some day care issues, I got to spend an extra day home with baby girl. We had a great 3 day weekend, hit the zoo, the pool, the park, and had some playdates with friends.

We hit the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa (who was recovering from a complete shoulder reconstruction, but looking good!) and Aunt Nicole and Abby. The girls had a lot of fun, the animals didn't do any special shows, but the peacock did let us get awfully close and we got some great picutres.

Today, baby girl and I ran some errands. She was great while I was in the doctor's office getting some blood drawn and we picked up my lost wallet, played outside, went to the park, and then hung out with Dadda when he got home...all in all a pretty great 4 day weekend!

Babygirl is hysterical - she loves being pushed around in our new double stroller, the Phil and Teds E3 - one side empty of course as the new baby isn't here yet. I think the neighbors must think we're crazy with the double stroller and only one kid - but she's having fun!

Monday, May 26, 2008

The Kid in Me

This is a shot from baby girl's first b-day party! I had to get in the fun w/ the apple bobbing - I mean, come on who wouldn't - and that doesn't include ALL of the other "adults" at the party who didn't choose to partake.

Sneaky secret - after 4 minutes, neither Zach nor I could get an apple the old fashioned way -so I grabbed one - but I DID forfeit the win and Zach walked away with the prize!

I'm hoping this shot will help me win a prize the old-fashioned way. Who wouldn't want to win a Wii!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Summer Fun!


We're looking forward to a summer full of fun at the pool and the beach! We took babygirl to the pool today (see picture), she had a great time - laughing and smiling the whole time. Can't wait to take her to the outdoor pool (opened this weekend, but it's still a bit cold for baby girl) this summer. If this summer is anything like last one - we'll be there 3-4 nights during the week and all weekend long.

But this year will be just that much better - she's so much more active this year. She's so much better at mobility related things...scary how things change so much in just one year.

We're planning on going to the beach to...have a trip planned in August - Grandma rented a shore house down in OC, and we'll try to "borrow" a shore house for 4th of July weekend to do a "baby moon" with baby girl. They have a house in Strathmere that's right across the street from the beach - which is great for baby girl.

Anyway - we'll be having lot's of fun this summer - and hopefully we'll win the great prize that Parent Bloggers has going on with Little Swimmers! Wish us luck!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Finances

I am a planner. I enjoy knowing what the plan is for the future. I would plan 10 years ahead if it made sense, but most of the time it doesn't. But sometimes it does. That's where Mint comes in!

I love this free - yes - free software! It helps me figure out where my money is going. Automatically pulls the information from my counts, created a budget for me. and now it tracks my investments!

If you're looking for a new way to look at your finances give Mint a try! It's not time consuming, but it can help you plan for the future!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Home Alone

Dear Husband is out and about tonight with his friends. Technically he is at a stinky hockey rink playing hockey with a friend he hasn't seen in about 2 years, but who am I to judge that. And he's going to have a boy's night out coming up soon, where they'll sit around and watch the UFC show as a pre-going to boot camp night for one of his best friends. All good.

Why is it that men and women have different ideas on what a good time is. I am planning on having a date with a girlfriend - going to the movies to see the new SITC movie. I'm planning another date too, garage sales on Saturday morning. Certainly not the equivalent of dressing up in dirty stinky hockey pads and skating around a rink with a bunch of people I don't know and coming home hours later exhausted, which will lead to a bad morning. Or, watching a bunch of half naked men hit each other until they bleed and call one of them the winner. No, we just seem to have slightly different ideas of a night out.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

New Toy

So, I have been asking for a new toy for over a year now and I finally got it. You see, I was expecting it for my birthday last year, then in time for baby girls first birthday, or for Christmas, then for Valentine's Day, then for Mother's Day, and it never came. But the other day it came - out of the blue! Well just a few days after Mother's Day, but hey.

Darling husband tells me to count it as my push present, anniversary present (5 years in September) and birthday present combined. I'm ok w/ that!

So, you're probably asking - what is it - a set of diamond earrings? Nope. A new car? Nope (I wish). A watch? No again.

It's a beautiful Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera. I love it!! It is secondhand, but we got it from the Ritz Camera store locally, so we know that it is in excellent condition. It has less than 2500 pictures taken with it which is really low. Plus, we already had Nikon lenses that work with it, so we saved money there.

Anyway - I love this camera. It finally let's me take the type of pictures I have been trying to take for almost 2 years now. See the example!

What type of camera do you have? What type of camera do you want?

Saturday, May 10, 2008

What I Know Now


What I know now about motherhood...


I know that patience is something that can grow because you love your baby girl. I know that the laugh of your child is the most precious thing ever, especially when your significant other is making him/her laugh. I know that family is the best way to manage your sanity - Grandmothers and Grandfathers are amazing! I know that marriage becomes harder after you have kids, it's just harder to connect when you want to give all of your love to a little being. I know, that it's possible to love another human being more than you would have ever thought possible.


Check out the Mother's Day Giveaway Contest at:


Thursday, May 8, 2008

Are you Kidding Me?

I just read this blog piece: and I couldn't believe that magazines have actually decided to print articles and get "experts" to weigh in on this. Yes, I know that my pediatrician recommended that darling girl be off the bottle @ 12 months, but I also know that she recommended that she be off the binky by 15 months, and well...that hasn't happened! Why on earth would anybody think it was their responsibility to tell Katie Holmes how to parent her child...I get the whole - she's a public figure and therefore what she does is open to scrutiny, but come on - leave some things alone people...

Monday, May 5, 2008

Ok...I just stopped laughing and had to post this..check out this post from Motherhood Uncensored...

http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/motherhood_uncensored/2008/05/nuances.html

The post is good, but the comments are even better - check them out!

Oh my, we use the "correct" terms for baby girls parts, and it does make my DH uncomfortable, but I feel like it's important to start it all out right...I guess we'll see in a couple of years! Baby girl doesn't yet talk about her parts...she has taken to touching them lately - especially when she's on the potty - she'll reach down after wiping and grab herself...but hey - the girl also sticks her hand in her own pee pee (that's in the potty), so we'll handle one thing at a time...

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Missing You

I read this really great post in one of the Real Simple Blogs and I had to share:

http://simplystated.realsimple.com/adventures_in_chaos/2008/05/your-life-as-a.html

It made me think about how much I miss my friends. Specifically you Heather and Amy! We haven't seen each other in forever. Why - well, Heather went off to the Sudan for a few months and then came back, but before that she moved to NYC, and it just hasn't happened. Amy moved to San Diego - jealous much, and well - she doesn't come back East very much, but the last time she did, we just missed each other.

So, it really sucks! And, I just don't know how to fix it. But this post made me think that I have to give some more time and energy to working on it. I mean, this is a period in our lives that we won't come to again, and I want them to be a part of it...I miss them...give me a call ladies!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

My Week...

This week has been a bit hectic. Here's the breakdown!

On Tuesday Baby Girl had her 18 month old well check. I was expecting for shots, but she only got 2 and she was a trooper. She cried for 10 seconds max and then stopped. She even gave the nurse a hug. She certainly doesn't have my nerves or pain reflexes - I would have been crying for a week and complaining that the spot where they gave me the shot hurt. Anyway - she jumped up to 92% in height, and she's staying steady in the 53% in weight, and of course - she's still breaking records - 98% in head circumference!!!

On Wednesday I had my OB visit. I am officially 29 weeks and some odd days now. That's exciting. I was talking to the NP about trying to have a natural delivery again. Funny - now that I know what it feels like to do it naturally, I think I am even more scared than I was of the unknown. I mean - it HURT...I really thought that I was going to pass out from the pain, but I didn't. So, you may ask, if it hurt so bad, why not just get the epidural. Well, first - as I noted above, I hate needles, I have very severe anxiety about any kind of needle including something as small as a finger prick (which I personally think hurts like HE--). Secondly, I really liked the fact that after she was delivered, I was me again. I could move around and get out of bed with no restrictions. And of course the idea that all in all it's better for the baby if I don't have meds...but all that being said, I am just not sure what I want to do this time. I think I am going to do something totally abnormal for me and just wait and see what happens! Imagine that!

Had some issues at work this week too. My colleague and I seemed to have gotten way off of the beaten path w/ each other and I didn't know what was going on. Well it seems like a whole bunch of stuff was working on him and I wasn't aware of most of it, but he also let a couple of other people say things that made him think I was being devious and underhanded. We finally talked on Friday and I must say that I am pretty hurt by the whole situation and not sure what to do. I had thought that we had built up a great relationship and for him to allow a couple of minor things reduce me to not even getting the benefit of the doubt...I don't' know...I am still pretty worn down by the whole thing. In the end I asked him how he could think that I was attempting to be devious given the fact that I am about 10 weeks away from taking a 3 month maternity leave during which time I'll have no control over what happens at the office. He thought about that for a second and agreed that it didn't make sense, but it was what he had been feeling, which I get...but...come on...

Anyway, not sure what I am going to do about that - but I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Today I went garage saleing in the morning. Got some great deals. I got like 10 pieces of Janie and Jack clothing (jeans, sweaters, pants, etc.) for $5 - and it was in great condition. I know, I should have felt bad - cause it kind of felt like stealing to get such a great deal, but the woman knew how much she had paid and it was all she was asking for, so how guilty could I really feel...alright - I'm going to forget about it - nothing I can do now.

Then DH and I went and looked at a stroller I had found on Craig's List - and we got quite a deal on that too...$275 for a Phil and Ted's E3 Double Stroller. This thing hasn't even been used. The wheels still had the little spokey (yes, I think that is the official word for them) things on them that come off when they roll on asphalt...GREAT DEAL. OK, it's not the Valco that I wanted, but it's a great stroller and DH even liked it - so I am going to enjoy it and forget about the Valco for a while!

Alright - those are the highlights - next time I'll have to do better about keeping on top of the blogging. Forgive me!