Dear Sister

Tami,

I wrote you a sappy letter on the eve of your wedding so it only seems fitting I write one on the eve of your next great adventure. I promise to add some humor because when I talk about parenting I try to be brutally honest and my parenting skills are totally sketchy. Here goes....

Soon you will get a new title. 

Soon you will be daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mom.

MOM!!

That's a title you waited a long time for. A title you fought for. A title you will shine at.

Being a mom is the greatest most stressful thing ever. You have this tiny little human and it's your job to raise it and teach it and nurture it all while it is actively making your eye twitch. ALL THE EYE TWITCHING! And then this sweet little child looks at your face and smiles and NOTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD MATTERS! Nothing. Baby smiles cure almost any bad mood. Almost.

Being a mom means sleepless nights, cold coffee and mystery stains. You prefer cold coffee and you own a bunch of scarves so you're ahead of the game!

Being a mom means there will always be someone who needs you unconditionally, who loves you even when your patience is thin and your words are harsh.

When you are a first time momma, all the people will tell you all the things. Take it all in but listen to your gut - not the masses. Your Momma Heart will tell you what your baby needs so trust it.

People will say "cherish all these moments, you will miss them one day." This mumbo-jumbo is ridiculous. I wouldn't go back to a teething baby if offered all the money in the world. Nope. It is perfectly okay to not cherish every moment of motherhood. Period. 

It is also okay to fail. When things are hard and you are tired, you will scream and cry and question everything. This will make you angry with yourself and you will think you are a bad mom. But bad moments don't make you a bad mom. Call me, I'll tell you all about my bad moments. 

You will get to spend the next few years sharing firsts with your little one and that is hands down THE BEST thing about being a parent. 

First smile.

First giggle.

First time seeing Christmas lights.

First time holding your hand.

First tooth.

First steps.

Everything will be a first and watching your child experience things for the first time ever is the coolest thing. It's just so magical. 

For the first few weeks, all you will do is snuggle a sweet baby. Sleepy snuggles on the couch are fabulous.

Take lots of pictures because they grow so fast! And while there are moments I wouldn't go back to - there are a ton I would. So document everything to visit again one day. Record all the baby giggles and gibberish and the milestones that matter to you. 

I know you are going to be a fantastic mom because you have been an amazing Aunt. The way you are with Alice is so precious and watching you two these past 8 years has been a beautiful privilege. She is SO EXCITED to meet Sawyer. And we are so thankful he wasn't born on her birthday. For reals, there is only so much she is willing to forgive you for, Poopie. I mean, seriously. ;)  

I am so stinking excited for you. My heart just cannot take how ready I am to meet Baby Bean.

I know this has been a super stressful and disappointing time to have a baby but my hope is that the time you and Jon have together in the hospital, just the three of you, will make up for all the moments you didn't have. You are going in as a couple but will come out a family of three! Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!! 

I look forward to watching you become the Momma you've longed to be. I look forward to talking to you about mom things. I look forward to returning on the loud gifts your husband has given Alice. I have an entire Amazon list saved so prepare your heart. ;)

Congrats on your new adventure and all the sweet moments coming your way. 

Love you,

T.

Catching up - 19 & 20

Yeesh, I'm behind! 

I know what you're thinking, "it's about time!!!" I know, I know. I'm going to work on it. 

Let me tell you, I thought month 18 was a challenge. She was defiant and contrary and so...very...mobile...I was concerned for our future. 

And then month 19 wasn't bad! Piece of cake!

She is still very curious and I can see her imagination when she plays. It's magical! She is independent and determined. She learns quickly and she LOVES figuring things out. It does not take her long to learn how something works. 

Month 19 wasn't bad. 

And then, month 20. 

Let me tell you, the past few weeks have been a HOT MESS! She has definitely mastered the Tantrum and can whip out those tears at will. And she's also at the age where everything IS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!! 

She knew we were going to go bye bye the other day. I told her we weren't going yet....

Lord, have mercy.

Then later the same day, the mean momma told her she couldn't eat the dog's food....

Oh, the drama. 

She had a massive fit yesterday when I told her we had to brush her hair before we got in the car. Tears, snot, flailing. 

I'm currently researching boarding schools that take 20 month olds. I'm pretty sure she's ready for sleep away school.

She is very bright and can bring you what you ask for. She understands what you're saying and reacts. Sometimes not accordingly, but she reacts. 

She wanted to go outside the other day but it was nap time. I told her she couldn't go outside until she took a nap. Mid tantrum, she stopped, sniffled and marched to her bed. She was standing there like "fine, let's get this over with."

Oh my. 

And she is CONSTANTLY moving. This has made chores and blogging practically impossible. When she's resting, I'm usually eating or showering or doing chores. I sit to blog but I'm so warn out, I can't even come up with a title. 

Hopefully, things will settle back down and our routine will get adjusted to an adjusted life. Here's hoping! 

I do have posts to write! And I do have stuff to share!

We went to the zoo! And she got to throw sticks for Uncle David's magic dogs!! It's all coming, I promise.

It's just coming....really....really slowly.....

Until next time....

Stacking

A few months ago, Alice received this set of wooden stacking blocks in her Citrus Lane box. She likes to play with them. The other day I caught her attempting to put them back on the stick. I showed her a few times and she's been doing it ever since. 

It makes us ridiculously proud.

She must be a GENIUS!!! 

And then she does this.

Silly baby. 

;)


The other night the Dada went in for a new Bath Time CD and forgot to latch the gate. The baby smelled freedom...

She's walking SO good! She toddles all over the house now. It makes me so proud and also a little sad. Where did our baby go?!

Tradition

It's tradition to play with new Christmas toys!! 

I know, I know. It's two days early.

Here's the thing, we're going out of town on Christmas day. We are spending tomorrow evening at Nana's house and we didn't want to drag gifts over there just to bring them back or have them be in mom's way for a week. 

So we did our Christmas this evening! 

Alice still has no interest in presents. She enjoys the wrapping but as far as what's inside - not so much! 

We ordered her a tricycle that grows with her - it starts out as a push type thing and then progresses to a stand alone tricycle. Her Dada built it today. She felt he needed help.

She was less than thrilled he didn't feel the same way. ;)

She's teething hard core. I'm a little annoyed. Why this week?! Seriously. Timing is just stupid sometimes. 

We fly out on Wednesday. I'm a nervous wreck. Flying with a baby. Heaven help us. ;)

We will be out of pocket for several days so the blog won't get updated until next year. That sounds like a lifetime but it's only a week. ;) Hang in there. 

We want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! 

We love you!

Our Tiny Bully

Our baby is a bully.

Yesterday Atticus was calmly sitting in the window of our room....until she decided SHE wanted to sit in the window. 

He moved to his bed and before he could get comfortable, she decided SHE wanted to be on his bed. So she sat herself down on a corner and started inching closer. 

She did it again today. I documented the abuse this time.

I told him to stand his ground!! His patience lasted about 30 seconds. Then he absconded to the living room with a look on his face that clearly said "we were happy once.....". Poor dog.

She uses the ottoman in the living room as a walk around. Last night as she's happily playing on the other side of the room, I get a blanket, pull the ottoman closer and rest my legs. This lasted a hot second.

She immediately dropped her toy and hightailed it over to me where she proceeded to pull on the blanket and push my legs while grunting her disapproval. Apparently the ottoman is no longer mine to use. 

Today while she was IN HER ROOM I decided to try putting my feet up again. Within a minute she appeared.

Don't for a second think she's being sweet!! She's pushing with all she has! And you can't tell but she has my PJ's in her mouth because when in doubt - bite. 

Lord, help us. 

She's currently having a fit because the highchair she insists upon using as a walker is stuck on the Christmas tree and will no longer move. Oiy vey. 

She was quiet a few minutes ago so I thought I should check on her.

Deep sigh.

There's a big chunk missing from the box now. It looks like a rat got to it. 

Again - Lord, help us.

With a Sheep - Week 41

Only 11 weeks left of this blog challenge. We can do this. Although I worry the Sheep is going to throw in the towel.

The Sheep is no longer talking to Alice. 

And then, this happened.

The Sheep is threatening legal action and Alice might need Anger Management. Look at the joy on her face! It's a little disturbing....

We started off the photo shoot with this picture.

She was supposed to be napping but was instead standing at the end of her bed yelling at me. Notice the pacifiers on the floor. This is what she resorts to when I don't react with urgency to her loudness - she throws her stuff out of her bed on to the floor. With gusto. Yeesh. One day I found her pacifiers and her light up seahorse in the middle of her room. Oh my.

She's been sleeping a little better (SHHHH!!! Don't tell her I said that!) and she's moving all over the place. And she's starting to dance to music she hears. It's the cutest thing ever.

Our girl is growing and growing!

And we're so proud.

A little worried and mostly exhausted. But totally proud. 

;)

In Motion

This girl is CONSTANTLY moving. 

Like always. 

All day. 

Everywhere. 

Yeesh.

She moves all over the house and then comes to me to cuddle....when she's poopy. It's so sweet. But not really. 

And she's constantly at the ready with her testing finger.

She CRACKS me up!

She'll be across the room and will just point at me as if to say "there you are!". And then she goes back to playing. 

She points to things she wishes to touch or eat. 

It's just so very cute. 

;)

Aunt Tami & her Alikins

Alice is very loud.

So is her Aunt Tami.

And when they are together, you know it.

Seriously.

It makes me smile how much these two love each other. :)

Until next time.....

Adventures in Baby Proofing

This is what our living room wall looked like before baby. (sort of, this was staged for the purpose of this post, some things have already been relocated)

And this is after....

Only now she's more mobile and can reach behind things and EVERYTHING on the shelves look DELICIOUS! So we thought about it and talked about how best to baby proof the shelves. We have no interest in relocating all of our stuff. We have lots of stuff and no place to relocate it. And I also don't believe a child should consume an entire house. I don't run a daycare. I have one child. And she has a room. We have toys but I'm not interested in turning our living room in to her giant playroom where we can occasionally watch TV when she's asleep. Nope, not so much.

And since I knew the cousins were coming, I needed something quick! So I made these.

We went with the idea "out of sight, out of mind" and so far so good! These are made with tension rods and a flat sheet. I used two tension rods per shelf. I cut the sheet and sewed it in a circle so the seam is out of sight. The tension rods are not too tight so if she does take a mind to pulling them down, they won't hurt her. 

We've put her toys within reach on the middle shelf so she can have her toys to play with. 

We'll see how long this works......

Until next time.

Morning Shenanigans

Uh oh, I think it wants out....

Proof her mom might be a bad influence. 

Introducing....

Alice Anne Christie

born September 20, 2012

2 lbs 6 oz

14 1/2 inches long

Already loved and completely spoiled. 

This and That

Me, the Manatee: The first few months of pregnancy are a challenge. You don't really look pregnant but you can't fit in to anything either. After having several meltdowns, we decided it was time to buy maternity clothes. Mostly this was after I was yet again uncomfortable and my sweet Beloved said it might be time to buy bigger underwear. Yep - complete meltdown before bed. We go to Target and pick up bigger undies (thank you very much) and a few other staples. I pick up a Belly Band to give it a try. When we get home I decide to try the Belly Band out. Daniel's watching me and proceeds to say "I need one of those so I don't have to zip my pants up over my f....." and stops.
Me - with a raised eyebrow and a look of annoyance: "Go ahead and say it."
Him: "...fffat."
Me: "Uh huh."

And there it is.

I am a Manatee.

At least now I look pregnant and not just 'pudgey'. ;)

We ran in to friends at Walmart the other day who said they heard about our good news. Daniel's response - "nah, she's just getting fat." Luckily I have a sense of humor. ;) And to the random guy walking by that responded with "oh wow!" when he overheard my Beloved - he was just playing. My dear sweet husband is anything but cruel. Funny yes - but cruel no. ;)

You have a baby....in a Bar: The other day on the way to a movie we drove by Saint Arnold's Brewery in Houston. Their Lawnmower beer is my favorite. I never thought I would use Beer and favorite in the same sentence but it is what it is. And it's delicious. I see the building and say "aww, we never went on a tour!" My Beloved responds with "that's okay, we'll take the baby with us after she's born." I pause...."we're going to be great parents."

Dog'on it!: Our beloved Pound Puppy has a new habit. I think he can sense a change a comin' and to combat that - he now shreds paper and hides it in the couch. He only shreds items on my lamp table by the way. This doesn't help with my "he secretly hates me" theory. It started with a paper towel I found shredded and stuffed in the couch. I then found the corner of a bill he nibbled. He left evidence so he got a spanking for that one. And sometime Tuesday morning, he completely shredded our Infant Class schedule. Daniel said it was completely demolished. And now I have to ask my Doctor for a new one because the dog ate our homework. Seriously. She's going to put this in my chart, I just know it.....

Her Room: We've been working on Baby Girl's room! It's so precious! I've done a few projects for it and I'll try to post pictures soon. I'll also post belly pics or Aunt Kristl will fly down and take pictures for me. :) They're coming - I promise!

Until next time.....

It's a ....

And we couldn't be more excited!

(My Beloved is even more nervous but still terribly giddy. :) )

Until next time...

The Doctors: Dr. Mata

Because I'm High Maintenance Risk - I get two doctors! :) Dr. Mata has been with me since the beginning and is my regular ObGYN. She is extremely patient and never tries to medicate me even though I should probably be. She understands there is a very high possibility that I'm going to cry in her office. Every time. Pregnant or not. Yep - medicated. For the record - going to the doctor is a very nerve-wracking thing! For reals. 


Now she gets to see my crazy self on a very regular basis. :) We get to entertain her and the nurses every 4 - 6 weeks. Lucky them! 


In usual form - the appointments have been entertaining. 


On my 8 week check up I was a little nervous. I'd had some cramping and spotting and was in total freak mode (and mom was in Thailand and unavailable by phone, so selfish. ;) ). I go in and have to wait forever because that's what you do when you go to the doctor - you wait. This only increases anxiety. When I finally go back the nurse attempts to find a heartbeat and can't - complete freak mode now sets in. By the time the doctor comes in to the room - complete hysterics have also set in. "I've had some spotting (sniff, sniff) and cramps (sniff, sniff) and the nurse can't find a heart beat (sniff, sniff) and my mom is in Thailand and I can't call her."  She hands me a Kleenex and pats me on the knee, "it's okay, you just need to see your baby." She does an ultrasound and there's a little fluttery thing and everything was right with the world. 


On one of the last visits we discussed birth. I want a C-section - she thinks we should try a 'normal' birth. No thank you. Here's how that conversation goes:
Me: But I want a c-section! 
Dr: I think we should try a natural birth.
Me: Do you know how much I weighed at birth?! 9 lbs 6 oz!
Dr: Oh my!  she then notes this on my chart.
Me: Yeah! And my little brother was 9.9 and he was 3 weeks early!
Dr: Oh my!  more notes.
Me: All the first born women in my family have weighed 9.6. If this is a girl - tradition says she'll be 9.6! 
Dr: Okay, we'll schedule a c-section and play it by ear. 


At the last visit I got to take a sugar test - it wasn't so bad! She said they would only call if something was wrong but I'm pretty sure my chart says "she's crazy so call her no matter the results" and they called to tell me everything came back good. While in the office we discussed my weight and stress and how my stress doesn't effect our little biscuit. This is a massive comfort to me. She then went on to tell my husband that knowing me, I'll be a little more quick to emotional responses. As we were walking out I tell my beloved "I'm pretty sure the doctor just said I was crazy." "Well" he said, "she does know you." Nice.


According to the book, my Beloved was supposed to help pick out my doctor. When he tells me this I say "trust me, she's the doctor for me."


Now let's meet Dr. Hare!

My Beloved and the Books

Since we found out we were expecting, Daniel has wanted to be as informed as possible. My doctor gave me a book and my work friend Jodie gave us What to Expect When You're Expecting. I find the miracle of life kind of unsettling and I'd rather not know anything in advance - let it all be an unpleasant surprise! But my Beloved - he's a planner. 


He starts to read the book the doctor gave us. It starts with fertility and conception which I'm pretty sure are chapters he could skip but he has to start at the beginning. He gets a few chapters in and says "the doctor should have given us this book before." :)


We're laying in bed a few nights later and he asks for a highlighter. 
Me: Is there something in there you want to remember that bad?
Him: No, I found some misused words I want to point out to the doctor at the next visit.
Me: deep sigh


A few weeks go by and I'm getting ready for work. He starts asking about my Calcium intake because "the book says the baby is going to suck all your calcium and your teeth could fall out. Have a great day!" Does he not know me at all?! I spend the rest of the day pushing on my teeth to make sure they aren't loose and stop on the way home for extra Calcium pills. Daniel gets home and asks how my day was. 
Me: I spent all day pushing on my teeth to make sure they weren't loose!
Him: Why on earth would you worry about that?
If my eyes could have popped out of my head - they would have. ;)


He finished book number one and now knows all about blood typing and expanding uterus' and what's going on with my body. He's been so adorable. When I start to freak out, he says "it's okay, the book says that's normal!" :) 


He will tell you I haven't been that bad. I actually think the crazy pregnancy hormones might be balancing out my normal crazy hormones! HOLLA! And he's been very patient and extremely supportive and he brings me joy - even when he's making my eye twitch.


The other day he comes in to the living room with the What to Expect book and says "according to the book I should be taking pictures of your growth progress and you should be in a leotard." Yeah, not happening. 


Until next time......

An Explanation of My Silence

First off, it's amazing to me how involved people become in your sex life after you get married. We got asked "so - when are you having kids?" every time we saw someone. Then after a year or so it turned in to "so, why haven't you had kids? Do you need some advice?" Umm...no thanks. I think we got this. ;)

My Beloved and I talked about kids and figured now would be as good a time as any to give it a try. August 31 will mark 4 years married (and September 1st will be 10 years together. 10 years, yeesh).

A few months ago I had a rough day at work and was looking forward to a bottle of wine. I'd had cramps for a few days but nothing else so I thought 'I'll be responsible and take a pregnancy test before I open the bottle, just in case.'

And it came back positive.

Crap - now no wine. ;)

When Daniel got home I told him I failed a pregnancy test or passed it - I'm not really sure which way is which. I couldn't have my wine so.....

Since I'm a walking medical issue - I see the doctor the next day and start my daily shots. With my history of blood clots, I have to remain on blood thinning shots throughout the pregnancy to hopefully prevent any issues. And so far so good! And I give myself the shots!! Mom hasn't had to drive over from her house once! That's growth my friends!

While we wanted to share our exciting news, we wanted to be a little more sure before we did. Growing up with a L&D nurse has made me well aware of the things that could go wrong and I'm already a little paranoid so we've kept it kind of close. (Crazy Confession: I felt like I was jinxing it every time we told someone - it's my damage and I'm working on it.)

 I'm currently a little over 17 weeks and we're THRILLED!! And terrified. And all sorts of things.

And there are SO many stories I want to share with you! So while I've been impatiently quiet - I'll now be posting lots!

I promise.

Until next time.....

A Christmas Quilt

The before mentioned quit went to the Mayes Family for Christmas.

It's precious and I hope it keeps their little precious one warm for years to come.

What if there's never a right time?

So it's what happens when you get married, you talk about having kids. We have a lot of friends having babies and it seems like the right thing to do....eventually. But we're not ready. At all. I go through 30 minute spurts of wanting a baby. I pass through the baby aisle and see the cute little clothes and say "aww! I want a baby!" And then I'll pass a screaming child and it's "never mind, I don't want a baby."

I like sleep, a quiet house and I'm horribly selfish. And our floor is covered in dog hair, a crawling child would be subsequently covered in dog hair. That can't possibly be good. Then I'll see something else that makes me think it's a good idea...until I hear the labor story. Then it's a dumb idea. Who wants all that?! The Miracle of Life is completely lost on me. The Miracle of Life is gross.

We don't have jobs conducive to kids. Daniel works late and some days I work 12 hour work days. Who would watch the baby? My mom lives too far to babysit on a daily basis and we can't afford for either of us to stay home. And I'm horribly impatient. What if I'm a horrible mother? What if the baby cries and I don't know why? See - I'm back to thinking it's a bad idea.

How do you know? Do you ever know? Is it just a "jump and see where you land" thing? Shouldn't you have everything planned before you jump?

Having kids is a lot of responsibility and a forever commitment; and it's one I'm not sure I'm ready for. Until the next time I see a cute maternity top and think "aww!! It would be so cute to be pregnant!" How irrational is that?! See, totally not ready.

Until next time....