So What! Wednesday

Ok, let's see if I remember how to do this.  It's been that long! Linking up with Shannon for her weekly So What! Wednesday. 
    This week I'm saying So What! if...   I'm watching Pretty Wicked Moms.  How am I just finding out about this gem now??? 

I made a pint of Haagen Daaz my bitch tonight and ate almost the whole thing.

I do that every night.  That averages about 3 pints of Haagen Daaz a week.

I almost just threw up realizing that's a lot of freaking ice cream.

We eat oatmeal and cereal for dinner on nights like tonight when Daddy is away.

I wear a bikini to the pool at 34 weeks pregnant.  It is not a pretty sight but I've got no shame in my game.

People who FB complain about the heat annoy the crap out of me.  I get it.  It's hot.  I don't need to see a grainy cell phone pic of the temperature gauge in your car. 

Those same people also annoy me when they complain how cold it is in winter.

Baby Julia is due in 6 weeks and I still have no clue what I'm going to do with Elena when I go into labor.  Being 500+ miles away from family totally sucks.

I've completely slacked at trying to find a babysitter out here.  We are paying $35 a month to have an ad on one of those child care websites and I haven't interviewed a single person.  I have issues.

I'm obsessed with Big Brother but this season's Mean Girls are really turning me off.  Not loving this cast at all.  Except Howard.  Love me some Howard.

I'm scared to death about loving another child.  I have spent pretty much every waking minute of Elena's life with her.  She is my everything.  I am wildly in love with her and just cannot imagine how to do that with two.  Especially another girl.

That's enough for this week...So Whating apparently is just like riding a bicycle :) 

Trendy Tot Tuesday: Jersey Pride

I'm a little late to the game here with my first Trendy Tot Tuesday post.  So excited to finally be linking-up with Kelly, Megan, and Lindsay. 

Let's be honest, fashion blogger I am not.  I don't do OOTD posts.  I think it's terribly awkward to take pictures of myself, and unless there's a demand to see a mid-thirties mom rocking a wife beater and messy ponytail, I'll leave them to the professionals.  You can thank me later.

What I do love, however, is taking pictures of my sassy two year old in whatever it is she's got on for the day.  Sometimes it's one of her few coveted Matilda Jane pieces, but more times than not it's a second hand ensemble she's gotten from one of her cousins.  You can even catch her sporting pajamas as an all day look, depending on her mood. 

Today's outfit features a staple of Elena's summer wardrobe...these Gap denim bow shortie shorts.  Love them! They are so versatile and go with all of the fun summer tops that she wears...from tees to tanks. 

The t-shirt is a gift from one of our dear friends back home in New Jersey.  I am obsessed with it.  It says Jersey Pride, and God knows we've got that.  I tried to get her to fist pump for the picture but it wasn't happening today.  I hope you'll settle for her cheese face, instead.  I mean, seriously?  The hands on the hip?  I die.  And if you could hear her?  She's not saying cheese all sweet and nice.  It's more of a guttural "CHEEEEEEEESSSEEEEEE," like get this effin camera out of my face you crazy woman. 

I decided to dress her outfit up by coordinating it with a cute red hair bow and her red Toms.  There is just something about those Toms on little piggies that make me feel all warm and fuzzy.  If your child does not have a pair, I seriously suggest ponying up and getting them a pair or six.  I promise they will make you a happier person. 

Looking forward to hopping around and seeing what other trendy tots are wearing these days!
Until next week....





                                       

Big Things

Big things have been going on.  

Considering I haven't blogged in exactly 4 months, there really is just too much to cover.  I can be long winded as it is, so if you're even reading this {since I never sent out the mass "follow-me-on-bloglovin'" post} consider yourself lucky.  You get the abridged version.  You're welcome. 

 Despite the relevancy and importance of big and little things that have happened since March, I just haven't had it in me to come here.  To write.  It wasn't that I didn't want to share, just that once the days of not blogging lapsed into weeks, and eventually months of not blogging, it just became commonplace to let it go.  Am I a little disappointed?  Sure.  Losing sleep over it?  No.  But then again, I don't sleep much these days anyway. 

And then something--not quite sure what--urged me to log into this space tonight to find my last entry was March 14th.  Exactly 4 months ago.  The irony of that, coupled with the fondness I have for  even numbers, well, it was just what I needed to lure me back in. 

So back to big things.  Let's start with the obvious...

That big thing right there would be my 32 week bump taken while we were back home visiting in NJ for Independence Day.

That big thing, also known as Julia Claire.  

She has a name.  

It is indeed official.  Just as Elena was named, after my mother, and her middle name, Josephine-after Paul's grandmother, Julia is named after Paul's mother (who goes by Julie), with the middle name Claire, after my maternal grandmother.  I love me a good family name and am so blessed to love both of my girls' names so much.  My girls.  Elena and Julia.  Lainey and Jules.  My Lainey Bug and JuJu Bee.

For the record though, baby sister has affectionately been dubbed "Goobie" or "Goobia," which is how Elena pronounces it.  And it's sticking.  #awesome #notreally

Big thing number 2?  

That would be the girl right there in the picture below.  My 2 year old.  TWO.  Which means she's even more sassy and spirited then she was when I last checked in here.  Talking and wondering about everything around her.  I truly love this age.  Power struggles, hunger strikes, and all.  

She's sleeping like a teenager still- 12/13 hour nights + 2-3 hour nap, eating like a bird most days {but will never turn down fruit, frozen peas, smoothies, or Pirate's Booty}, has somehow discovered Barney {damn you Netflix!}, and is obsessed with baths, showers, and the pool.  She is the coolest.

To round out the big things going on around here...we are building a house.  In Ohio.  Craziness.  So excited and nervous.  And ready.  We finally just got our dig date.  July 22nd.  Stay tuned for documentation of the process. 

Gonna really try to keep up with this space here.  I'm pretty sure that if I don't, getting back to it after Julia arrives would be slim.  I've loved the purpose this blog has served for me thus far.  I love looking back and re-reading entries.  And I love the connections I've made with other bloggers.  It feels good to be back. 

At the Mercy of a 2 year old

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'm talking about toddler drama.  Again. 

Today was another one for the books.  Elena is two months shy of her second birthday and I think it's safe to say that we are strapped in tight, white knuckle grip and all,  on the roller coaster that is the Terrible Twos.

God help me.  No, seriously.  God, I know you've got greater prayers to answer, but if you could send a little sanity, a lot of patience, and a dose of reassurance that I'm not the worst mom in the world, that'd be great. This conveniently comes at a time when I cannot drink or medicate myself.  Awesome. 

I'll spare you the gory details, because honestly?  I'm exhausted and it would take too damn long to recount the days' events.  In a nutshell, let's just say that every. single. thing. in our daily routine has become a production.  Diaper changes, getting dressed, meals {don't even get me started on meals, that's a post for another day}, going shopping, getting in and out of the car seat, sitting in the stroller, sitting in her highchair, brushing her teeth, which bib she wears.  I'm pretty confident if she were talking in sentences she'd tell me she hates me. 

Perhaps I'm being the slightest bit dramatic.  Not every moment is a struggle.  And of course I know she loves me. She plops herself down nicely on my lap to get her shoes on and she she loves to sit quietly and draw.  She dances and twirls around to the "ewebic" {that would be music}on my phone, and gives me kisses randomly and always when I ask.  She loves to laugh at the dog and walk around with a phone pretending to talk to Daddy.  She says "sahjee" {sorry} with the sweetest little pouty lip when I get her from Time Out and thinks it's hysterical to pretend to tickle herself.  She is all of this, more, and then some. 

It helps to write this after such a long day.  To process it, acknowledge it as normal toddler behavior, and focus on the highlights of our day.  Because in between the blood curdling screams and defiant, sassy "nopes", there are many, many highlights. 

And always, always, I can count on these at the end of even the roughest days.  Snuggles and lovins from my favorite girl. 

Oh hey. You must be the terrible twos.

My child sleeps.  Soundly and like the dead.  And since daylight savings time,  we've had wake-ups at 9:45, and 10:45.  I thought I had a toddler, not a teenager.

Speaking of teenagers, for a hot second today I would have rather been dealing with the "I hate yous" of teenage angst than the tantrums of the terrible twos.   Grass is greener, I know.  I know.

Seriously?  Totally giving me the stink eye. 

It was a day and a half around this house and tonight finds me feeling defeated.  It's not the first time.  And I know, trust me, I know--- it isn't the last.  Whoever tries to make motherhood look all easy and we bake cookies all day and do educational Pinterest rainy day crafts until the cows come home is full of it.  It isn't easy and I have no shame in admitting it.

Do we have days like that?  The cookie baking crafty kind?  Sure.  But no day is perfect and lately all seem to be infused with mass amounts of toddler drama and crazies. 

For the love, I am a child development major.  I haven known about the terrible twos and all the shit that goes with them long before becoming a mother.  No amount of schooling or babysitting could have prepared me for being deep in the trenches with my own child.  Basically as a single mother.  When Paul is home?  What a difference.  She is so much more manageable and pleasant.  Like that doesn't make me feel like a terd.  Like it's all me.  Womp womp.

Don't get me wrong.  Elena is my best friend.  She is funny, loveable, affectionate, engaging, silly, smart...I am obsessed with her and miss her the second she falls asleep.  We have a million wonderful moments in a given day.  Moments where I stand in awe of this amazing creature God has blessed me with.  So many more wonderfully awesome moments than the ones that have me ranting tonight.

Sparkles and unicorns right there, people.  Makes it all worth it. 

But those ugly moments need to be documented, too.  Motherhood isn't all sparkles and unicorns.  It's slaps across the face from your kid in Trader Joe's because she doesn't want you to have your hands on the grocery cart.  It's that sassy "nope" when you ask her to do something routine.  It's that red face of embarrassment you get when your adorable spawn is the only one in gymnastics that wants no part of the parachute and lets everyone within a ten mile radius know it with her screams. All of it and then some.

But you know what?  I'll take it.  Tomorrow is a new day.  I'm hoping for sparkles and unicorns, but will navigate the tantrums and crazies, come as they will.  No doubt. 

Bump update: Weeks 13-16

I promised myself I wouldn't slack when it came to documenting this pregnancy.  Despite feeling disconnected from writing lately {due in large part to ridiculous headaches I've been having} I've still kept up with my weekly bump pics and updates.  Finally getting around to posting them here.

Buh bye first tri, hello birfdays and barf.

The end of February came, went, and somehow turned into March.  Seems impossible.  Wasn't it just the start of the New Year? 

We've been busy around here, which I'm grateful for, since busy means that I'm actually participating in the human race.  Thank you, second trimester. 

I've resumed cooking dinner on the regular.  I actually put away the folded laundry instead of letting it sit in the basket.  I even brush my teeth as soon as I wake up.  And, most importantly, I've fired the trifecta of babysitters that were Sprout, Nick Jr., and Disney Channel.  Or "TeeTee" as we say in this house {TV}. Yes, there were some days it was all I could do to just lay on the couch and watch my girl play.  I'm so glad those days are in my rear view, although she still brings me the remote control when the TV is off.

The end of February also brought Paul's birthday.  He turned 36, which means we've officially spent half of our lives together. Talk about time flying.  18 years.  Wow.  Elena and I baked our first cake together.  She was such a great helper and loved sitting on the counter pouring in all of the ingredients. 

Signing Daddy's card.

Happy Birthday, Daddy 

 I wish I could say we ended the month on a high note.  No.  Elena came down with a stomach bug the day after Paul's birthday and threw up for the first time.  Oh.  My.  God.  It's something I knew was bound to happen, but it doesn't mean I was prepared.  All I can say is thank GOD Paul was home.  It's not the actual puke I mind.  It's seeing her sick and helpless and scared.  Having him home made us both feel better.  I will say that girlfriend made it nice and easy---she only projectile vomited in the kitchen and on me.  Honestly, I think I was more traumatized than her. Poor thing. 

When she woke up that morning I could tell she had a tummy ache.  She had an explosive poop the day before and the morning of she was super clingy and needy.  She wouldn't eat breakfast, wouldn't drink her milk and kept lifting her PJ top and making a sad face as if she was saying, "Mommy, my belly hurts."  I had a feeling in the back of my mind she might puke.  At about noon, she walked into the kitchen, where I was, and projectile puked 3 times.  I was so scared because I could tell she was scared.  I was screaming for Paul, who was locked in the master bath on a work call.  I'll spare you the pictures, because YES, there were pictures.  While I was still drenched in puke Paul decided to bust out the DSLR to start documenting her first puke.  All the while Lola was licking it up off of the floor.  I can't make this shit up.  She never puked again, thank goodness, but it took a good 2 days to get her back to herself.  Boy, I'm glad she's back. 

And I'm glad I'm back.  Back to feeling like me again.  March is gonna be a good one.