Christmas Tree Hunting & More

This year Christmas tree hunting was so fun!  Last year Paul had to work and it was freezing (freeeeezing) cold outside.  This year it was nearly 60 degrees and we had the whole family in tow.  We went to this very cool farm called Kluck's Nursery.  It was a little on the pricey side, but you could pretty much pick any tree at the farm and it would have been perfect.  We all found a tree within the hour and Chloe and Andrew had a blast in the process.  Here are a few pics.

Because we are expecting the baby to come any day now, we hosted Paul's family for Christmas on December 10.  Paul made a big Thanksgiving style feast and I found myself making batch after batch of cookies and other goodies.  I was exhausted.  Chloe ended up eating six cookies and a cup of hot cocoa.  She loves parties, but she really loves her cousins.  She could play with them every day.  Here are a few pics.

Sneak Peak! 37 Weeks

My midwife called me yesterday to say that their office purchased a new ultrasound machine, and would I like to come in so they could practice on me.  I was a little reluctant at first.  I'm was afraid something would be terribly wrong, or that I would find out he was 10+ pounds or something.  I was curious about God's intentions of offering this opportunity, but eventually I called to say I would be happy to come in for a free ultrasound. 

I'm so glad that I did!  The baby looked very healthy and the technology was so amazing!  I really do feel like I got to cheat a little by seeing his sweet little face a few weeks early.  God was just offering me a very nice reward for hanging in there while my stomach hangs out of the front of most of my maternity shirts. 

The ladies were just playing around and doing some training with the machine, so we never did any official measurements.  I have nothing to worry about now as far as his size goes.  I figure, what you don't know can't mess with your mind.  We were able to confirm that the baby is definitely a boy, and you'll see why below.  The ladies couldn't stop taking pictures of his face, because they said it was so rare to get such a clear picture of the face so late in a pregnancy.  They kept commenting on the size of his lips, and I said that Paul has about the biggest lips a white person can have, so that would explain it.  He looks a lot like Chloe to me. 

It was really fun to see him there in the womb.  I am more excited than ever to have him.  My little man.  I had my regular visit following the ultrasound.  Amazingly, I have only gained 36 pounds.  I am tracking behind my first pregnancy on weight gain, despite being significantly larger in appearance.  I had my Group B Strep test done.  Please pray that I do not carry the bacteria.  My midwife asked if I'd like her to "check" me, and I figured, hey, why not.  I already have my pants down.  I was only dilated to 2 centimeters and was estimated to be about 60% effaced.  The baby is still stationed at -2.  It doesn't sound like I'll be delivering at 37 weeks like I did with Chloe, and I don't mind at all.  This Mama still has plenty to do before having a second baby!

Here are a couple of pics.  Enjoy!

35 Week Pregnancy Update

You know the saying.  If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.  That is sort of the way I have been feeling about this pregnancy, which is weird, because this pregnancy has been nothing but smooth sailing.  For some reason, though, I find myself complaining about something pregnancy related almost every single day.

I realize that the second pregnancy is far less magical.  Lots of people told me that.  There is nothing blissful about not having the stomach muscles required to get off the couch.  For some reason, feeling an actual human hand scratching around my pelvis does not trigger feelings of joy, but rather feelings of fear.  Fear that a human hand is going to pop out of my vagina at any moment.  It is difficult to do simple tasks like get out of bed, read Chloe a book, or walk through medium to large size passages.  I cannot tell you how sick I am of walking around with crumbs and stains on my belly.  I know that all of this was true of my first pregnancy, as well, but for some reason I just can't remember. 

I don't take any of it as seriously as I did with the first.  In fact, on any given day you might find me dressed in a suit of deli meat, eating a medium-rare steak (hold the guilt), and sipping a small glass of red wine, all the while carrying the extra 34 pounds of myself, 27 pounds of Chloe, and 5 pounds of whatever else I have stuffed in my work tote, purse, and daycare bag.  Yes, my hair is highlighted.  I wash my face with Clearasil.  I didn't cry after my flu shot in fear that my baby would suffer a rare genetic mutation.

When I was pregnant with Chloe my life revolved around my pregnancy, but this time around my pregnancy is just fitting into my life.  It has to, because what the hell would I eat if not for deli meat?  Cooking a steak above medium rare is just preposterous.  It's like the cow died for nothing.  And, a very, very small glass of red wine on a very, very rare occasion when I feel as though I may just spontaneously combust from the stress and exhaustion of everyday life just seems safer than actually bursting into flames.  I have to carry around my toddler or else I would still be sitting in the living room having this conversation over and over again:

Me:  Chloe, Mommy said you can bring just one toy to daycare.
Chloe:  One?
Me:  Yes, one toy.
Chloe:  One, two?
Me:  No, just one toy.
Chloe:  One, two, three?
Me:  No.  I mean... good counting!  Whatever, just come put your coat on.

Despite all of these negative thoughts, I know that I am going to really miss being pregnant once I'm not pregnant anymore.  I do love feeling my baby kick throughout the day.  I do love bringing him to work with me.  I do love him.  I do, I do.  Right now, being pregnant is far less scary than not being pregnant, so I'm really in no hurry to send an eviction notice. So, I owe it to myself and to my baby to make a few notes about this pregnancy so far.  Good notes, no matter how few.

On the good side, I am loving my new midwife practice.  There are two midwives, Gail and Amy.  Both are amazing and never make me to feel rushed when I ask them questions.  They engage me in conversation, and I always feel like they remember me.  In fact, I know they do because they always ask follow up questions from past conversations.  I fell in love with them when they sent me home with my glucose drink.  With my old doctor I was instructed to go to the lab where I waited in line to drink the drink, waited an hour among sick and/or very, very weird people, and then had my blood drawn.  This time around I took the drink in the morning before work, headed up to the lab once I had 20 minutes to spare, waited in the waiting room just long enough to fill out the paperwork, and had a quick blood draw.  The results were about the best you can get, so I don't have to worry about Gestational Diabetes. 

At 34.5 weeks I have gained 34 pounds, so it looks like I'll probably gain at least 40-45 pounds with this pregnancy, which is over the recommended 30 to 35 pound weight gain.  My midwife said it was okay, and that the recommendation is mostly made so that it is easier for women to lose the baby weight after the pregnancy. 

The baby's heart rate has always been strong and in the 150 range.  Chloe's was always much higher in the 170-180 range, so for us the old wives' tale is true.  Low heart rate equals boy and vice versa.  And if you are into that kind of stuff, my Chinese Gender Chart was also correct for both babies. 

The baby has been in the head down position for at least the last 8-10 weeks.  My mom and I were at Kohl's on Black Friday.  She decided to go stand in line while I picked out a few last minute things.  As I was walking toward her she started giggling.  When I finally reached her she said she noticed I was waddling.  After she mentioned it I realized that I was waddling.  Also, I could breathe better, and my 36DD (holy shit, it is true) bra no longer felt as though it was a straight jacket.  Did I mention I have to pee?  And is that the distinct feeling of a head resting on my vagina?  It dawned on me that at some point over the last 24 hours that the baby had dropped.  The technical term for this occurrence is called lightening, which is ironic since the baby feels heavier than ever.  This didn't happen with Chloe until I was in labor, so I freaked out a little.  So far I haven't had any signs of early labor, so I'm not too worried about it.  For now, I'm just trying to enjoy the ability to breathe again since I'm now on double time when it comes to bathroom breaks.

This baby kicks way more than Chloe ever did.  He also moves his whole elbow or knee from one side of my stomach to the other.  A little kick doesn't phase me, but a whole belly swipe often stops me in my tracks.  He also loves to kick his leg out straight and then just leave it there for a minute so I have a giant lump protruding from my stomach.  I'm often embarrassed at work because the movement is so visible from my shirt.  I often have people say, "Ahh!  I just saw your baby move!"

I remember for both pregnancies feeling awesome when I went in for my 20 week ultrasound.  I lifted up my shirt and thought Ha!  I bet she wonders if I'm here to confirm if I am even pregnant.  I must have the smallest 20 week pregnant belly she has ever seen!! I am a master of disguise.  But with this pregnancy it seems like the minute I found out I was having a boy, my stomach began to grow exponentially.  By 25 weeks I was mammoth and looking like I did when I was full term with Chloe.  The good thing is that I haven't changed a whole lot since then.  My belly is bigger, but not that much bigger.  Maybe I'm just delusional.  It wasn't until the last few weeks that I stopped being utterly shocked when someone asked when my baby was due.  Gasp!  But how did you know?!?!  For the longest time I was startled every time I saw my profile in a reflective surface. 

So here I am.  I know this is what you have been waiting for.  This is me and the baby at 35 weeks.  Enjoy.

From Mama to Hey Ma: The Evolution of a Name

I begged and pleaded for months for Chloe to say “mama.”  “Say mama.”  “Say mama.”  “Can you say mama?”  For months, nothing.  Then finally one day while out to dinner I thought I’d heard her say “mama” as she reached for me from across the table.  “DID YOU HEAR THAT?!” I yelled.  Had anyone else heard those sweet words?  She wanted her mama.  She needed her mama.  It sounded glorious. 

My Mom would always tell me not to worry.  I would be hearing those words soon enough.  And often.  This was coming from the woman who has been through every stage of motherhood from "mama" to "hey ma."  I should trust her.  I do trust her.  But I still wanted to hear my title – the title I earned through 37.5 weeks of pregnancy and 23 hours of labor – validated through the lips of my own daughter. 

Mama.  It was worth the wait.  But "mama" is a rookie title.  “Mama” means you probably do not know what the hell you are doing 99% of the time.  (Maybe that never changes.)  Mamas think it is stressful to take one tiny baby who is sleeping peacefully in her car seat out to dinner.  Mamas call the pediatrician once a week and their own mothers seven times a week.  Mamas buy new purses based on their capacity to hold a bottle, diaper, wipes, and change of clothes.  Mamas cannot have a normal conversation about anything other than poop consistency, swaddling, and ounces of milk.  

The thing is that mama lasts for just a short time. 

What I mean is that just last weekend Chloe was playing in the living room when all of a sudden she came sprinting toward me in the dining room.  “Mommy, mommy, mommy,” she yelled.  I couldn’t believe it.  Mommy?  I was puzzled.  Where had she learned to call me by that name?  When had she decided she would start calling me mommy?  And why?  Had I moved on to the next phase of motherhood ?  I hadn’t expected to receive a promotion so soon.  After all, I haven’t seen a qualifications list.  I didn’t even receive my annual review.

Maybe there are clear signs that show I am ready to be “mommy.”  Maybe one of the first requirements is learning that bribery is an important part of every day life.  Let’s not call it bribery.  If I were a politician I would call it a reward system.  Somehow “rewarding” your child with a grape if she puts her coat on feels far more spectacular than begging, pleading, and eventually forcing the damn thing on her body. 

For some reason my pride is undamaged if I suggest she does something I know damn well she is going to do no matter what.  “Chloe, if you get in your car seat I will let you play in the car when we get home.  You can beep the horn.  Beep , beep.”   The whole time she’s thinking, “ummm, yeah lady I was going to do that anyway, but sure, point for you.  Wink, wink.” 

Perhaps one of the requirements is that you no longer have the natural instinct to ensure six different times that your child is breathing during the night.  No, you are too busy making sure your child isn’t opening the back gate to make a break for the road.  You are too busy peeling her off of the counter top where she is attempting to touch the knives.  Too busy making her spit out pennies, dirt, crayons, and toothpaste.

Maybe being a mommy is realizing that your child is becoming independent.  She has her own thoughts and preferences, and she doesn't want to be told what to do all day.  So maybe you just let her wear a pink tutu and no shirt one day, because that is what she wants to wear.  And then maybe you let her, in her pink tutu, *gasp* eat Lucky Charms while watching Dora.  Because, who cares?  That is what I would want to do.  Hell, maybe you let her do it once per week, because not even locking your keys in your car in the freezing cold can bring you down from the high you felt that morning when your child was perfectly happy.

Maybe you let her wear her frog coat whenever she damn well pleases.  Pants optional.

 Maybe you let her play in the leaves even if you aren't 100% sure they are dog poop free.

Maybe you let her eat a ring pop while running around the house.

Maybe you trust her to hang from the edge of the pool all by herself.

The more I think about it the more I realize I am ready to be "mommy."  It is a great reminder that my little baby is not so much a baby anymore.  I realize that the next phase will be here in the blink of an eye.  Mom.  Shortly after that will come the dreaded "hey ma."  I don’t know exactly when it will happen, but I can’t help but wonder what I’ll be doing differently at the time. 

Chloe's Big Weekends

Chloe has been having some busy weekends lately, and things are not expected to slow down until baby brother comes along.  We went to visit Josh, Lydia, and Zane last weekend who live up in Traverse City.  We met Josh & Lydia a couple of years ago through my best friend Sara, and hit it off right away after meeting them.  After a long period of not making any new friends after college, we have found it to be much easier to make friends after having Chloe.  In fact, I think I have said here before that it seems almost impossible to be friends with anyone without kids.  That may be a different post entirely.  Here are a few pictures from Chloe's last few weekends. 

Daddy helped Chloe ring the bell at the apple orchard. 

Chloe and Zane posed while their Dada's gave them a little boost.  We especially liked how Chloe's side was dangerously jagged.

Chloe and Zane held hands for a brief moment in the corn maze.  We thought Chloe would be an all star at the corn maze, but it was really Zane who excelled.  He led the way, and every ten seconds we'd have to yell at him to stop and wait for Chloe who was eating kernals of corn from the ground.  Every time I turned around she had a little chipmunk cheek full of corn.  Goofy girl.

I wanted to include this picture to demonstrate what our child does before swimming class starts each Monday.  All of the other kids sit on their parents' laps while patiently waiting for class to start.  Chloe beelines it for the noodles, grabs one, and starts smacking the water.  She runs all the way around the pool getting into whatever she can find while we wait.

Here is an example of Chloe using her stool to access the faucet.

And here she is using the faucet...

Aaaaaand here she is after Mama made her come down from the faucet.

Chloe really loves getting dressed lately.  She selected a slinky red number the other night - Dada's clean underwear.  She thought she was pretty cool stuff.  Getting dressed is becoming a very, very big hurdle every morning.  Chloe has started to want to get herself dressed.  The only problem is that she hasn't quite mastered the skills required to get dressed on her own so she gets very angry!  The last few mornings have involved her throwing a Stage 5 tantrum while I chase her around getting her dressed.  I hope this phase passes quickly!

We went home over the weekend so that our families could see Chloe in her costume.  After just one quick visit Supergirl had to take a little nap. 

But it wasn't long and we were off!  We stopped to visit Great Grandma Sally & Great Grandpa Frank.  We also got to see Jeff, Paula, and Chelsea.  Grandma Sally hooked her up with a giant bag of fruit and candy, as well as a stuffed Snoopy doll.  Chloe really loved playing with Grandma Sally!

Later that night we stopped off at Aunt Kendra & Uncle Chad's house.  Paul took this picture of the kids.  It is amazing that they were once Chloe's age.  We have a hectic house to look forward to!

We rounded out the night at Uncle Drew & Aunt Shantel's house.  Andrew is Buzz this year for Halloween.  He got to put on his costume since Chloe was dressed up, too.  He "flew" around for us for about an hour.  He is such a funny boy!

Chloe loved Andrew's balloon.  She is very into balloons lately.  Unfortunately, by the time we left the balloon was just half its size.  I think she played a little too rough with it.

Andrew leaning in for a kiss!

Chloesaurus

With every passing day it becomes increasingly clear that Chloe is not like the others.  Our child is stubborn, busy, and determined.  She also has a wicked temper.  My Mom has told me one, two... a thousand times that she is exactly like me when I was younger.  Exactly.  Sometimes when I watch her use her finger-like toes to scale the cabinets and pull herself to the counter I see how I would would want to do the same thing... if I only had the energy.  I see myself in her as she demands a "pickle," a "tootie" a.k.a. cookie, or "joosh" a.k.a. juice.  I see myself in her when she snuggles up to her daddy to watch cartoons.  I see myself in her all of the time, and it is crazy because I think Chloe is the most beautiful specimen to walk the face of this earth.  Why, then, am I so hard on myself?  I suppose that is another post altogether.

Chloe eating her apple - one of the only foods she will ingest.

My Mom loves to tell stories of how I woke up at the crack of dawn saying "the sun's up and so am I!"  She says I was so stubborn and so determined.  I could do anything my older boy cousins could do.  I spent hours - days even - screaming at my Pogo-Ball until I could maneuver that thing around like Drew.  We have countless hours of video footage of me, "The Siren," screaming at the top of my lungs while I tried desperately to do what the boys were doing.  I always thought the videos were so depressing.  Everyone just ignored my incessant screaming.  No one asked what was wrong.  You wouldn't have been able to understand me between my hysteric breathing/screaming pattern even if I tried to tell you.  I understand it now, of course.  If they hadn't ignored me they would probably be in jail for shaking me half to death.


Chloe playing in the field and Mama begging her to look at the camera.

 It should really come to no surprise, then, that Chloe is my Mini-Me.  Most of the time she even looks exactly like me.  First of all, I think God laughs every morning when I drag my once snooze-happy ass out of my bed at 6:00 a.m. (We are sleeping in an extra half hour these days.)  Chloe is up and she is ready to play.  Ready for milk.  Mama.  Dada.  Papa.  Dora.  There is no sleepy snuggle period to transition this Mama into the morning.  Thankfully, after a vigorous training period, I have successfully addicted Chloe to Dora.  Dora has gotten us from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. many a manana.  Gracias, Dora. 

We can't take Chloe anywhere.  I mean it.  You know that kid at the restaurant who is running around from table to table saying "hi."  If not, you haven't graced a restaurant in the same 20 minute time span as us.  That is probably because you don't eat at restaurants that have bikes and highway signs hanging from the ceilings.  We used to be you.  Taking Chloe to a restaurant is possibly the most frustrating of all outings.  She used to fall for our secret weapons - berries, crayons, cheerios, iPhones - but the enemy has evolved.  She is smarter.  Stronger.  Most trips to a restaurant involve Chloe eating only ketchup by the spoonful or handful, Chloe trying to feed us ketchup by the spoonful or handful, Chloe drinking water from cups by the handful, Chloe crawling on the table in an effort to escape, Chloe coloring the table, Chloe making a break for it and running all over the restaurant, etc.  We have never been successful in keeping Chloe in her high chair.  She has been a real-life Houdini from the start of life when she weaseled her way out of the tightest of swaddles.  We are no match for her.



Chloe climbing and Mama begging her to look at the camera.

Grocery shopping holds a close second n terms of worst possible destinations. I am always so envious of the mothers walking through the grocery store with a toddler sitting nicely in the cart, and a four year old shadowing close behind. I can count on one hand the number of times I have ventured to the grocery store alone. We usually take her together and one of us takes on the task of the actual shopping, while the other chases Chloe down isle after isle. She is usually huffing and puffing by the time we leave the grocery store because she has sprinted at least a mile.


Chloe eating corn straight from the corn maze.

Why is she like this?  You could probably come to the conclusion that it is our fault.  We let her run around so she just continues to do it.  Maybe you are right.  But I can say that since the moment Chloe could crawl she has found a way to squirm her way out of my arms and onto the floor in an effort to escape.  If we didn't let her go on her own she would have a meltdown everywhere we went.  By meltdown I mean full fledged, body slung on the ground, screaming at the top of her lungs, exorcism-style meltdown.  I prefer the happy, running around, getting into everything Chloe over the possessed, temper-tantrum Chloe any day.

Most of the time when we bring Chloe somewhere people will comment on how "busy" she is, and then by the time we leave they are shocked at her mobility and fearlessness.  They are usually chasing her around having a heart attack as she climbs the bar stools, stairs, and cabinets of their home while Paul and I watch her comfortably from afar.  She has full reign of our house now.  She goes up and down stairs upright with toys in both hands.  She strategically places her potty chair stools around the house to aid her in swiping things from counters and in opening doors.  She dances to every commercial, toy, or distant melody.  She does flips and rolls and spins wherever she goes.  She walks on her tip toes 50% of the day.  We try desperately to keep her from standing on tables, biting Griffin, and jumping on the couch.  She is a maniac, I tell you.  A maniac. 

While I wouldn't have her any other way, I do pray that this second baby is mellow like his Dada.  Chloe is a good girl, but she is so stubborn and so busy that an easy, go-with-the-flow member of the family would certainly be a welcome addition!!

Chloe giving Mama kisses :o)



So Many Baby Bumps!

I realize that it is no coincidence I know at least fifteen pregnant women at a time.  The late 20's and early 30's are prime baby making time, and the majority of my friends are married with babies on the brain.  That being said, it is still quite shocking to see so many pregnant bellies.  Seeing my skinny, little best friend, Sara, with any kind of belly at all is quite shocking.  Right now some of my best friends from high school, college, post-college, and family are expecting or have just had a baby.  It is such an exciting time, and I feel so happy to share the experience with so many of my close friends.  I have attached a few pictures of my friends and our baby bumps that were taken with cell phones or uploaded to Facebook.  The quality is just not quite there, but you get the idea.  Babies, babies galore!

Left to Right: Sara, Me, Kellie, & Lydia

We are all due within about one month of each other.  Sara is due January 15, I am due January 6, Kellie is due around December 17, and Lydia is due around December 6, I think.


Left to Right: Lydia, Me, Sara, & Kellie



Me & Sara



Left to Right: Me, Sally, Monica (holding Emma), & Sarah

My Bradley girlfriends are all expecting together.  This picture was taken about a month ago at Sally's Harvest Party.  Monica was going to be the last to have a second baby.  She was certain of it.  But, surprise, she was the first!  She had sweet Emma on June 24, 2011.  She has one of the most shocking birth stories to tell, but she doesn't love telling it the way I do so I will keep it to myself.  Sarah is due in two days on October 13.  Sally is due in November, but I can't for the life of me think of the date.  Sorry, Sally!  I know you understand.