Happy 6 months, baby!

So, as many things go, time has FLOWN by. I cannot believe my little baby has gone from the tiny little thing above to a strapping, young, husky, super smiley baby! It's exciting, sad, and stressful all at the same time. Let's be real, all new mommies can attest to the fact that babies are not easy to take care of. Every day is not a sit down, play with my baby, every minute is precious kind of day. There's crying, teething, colds, hold me/rock me or else I'll cry, screaming and I can't tell you why- I could go on. Don't get me wrong the precious moments are there. Smiling and laughing, saying mama for the first time, first reactions to food, baby playing with big brother...
Overall, the roller coaster of it all, it's a fun and special time. As a parent, mother, and wife, every part of that roller coaster reminds me how strong I am, how vulnerable I can be, and how I need to go through all of this to appreciate my life.

I know I'm lucky. It just takes some living to realize it.

Happy 6 months little one!

My October Holiday

So I decided that this year, my birthday would really be a day about me. And I think I did a great job! I decided this day was going to be my October Holiday amongst all the activities geared toward the kids in October.

Started the day off with breakfast with the hubby at Stacks- always a winner. Triple berry pancakes and some of hubby's veggie omelet and I was set! Breakfast turned into brunch as we kept talking and let our meal extend a bit further toward afternoon. Time with the hubby these days is a present in itself :).

Then it was off for some retail therapy. I went shopping for the first time in LONG time with NO kids-- not needing to hurry home to feed or care for kids-- and all by myself. I set my own schedule and went to the stores I wanted!!! For all you mamas out there, you know what I mean when I claim Mental Liberation!! The freedom to shop for oneself is a beautiful thing and taken highly for granted these days. Needless to say I came out with many clothes, some shoes, and the feeling of being just me again. But I won't lie and say I didn't think of my family. I also came out with a jumper for baby, lunchbox for toddler, and 2 pairs of shoes for the woman who gave me life (when you're mom is a size 4 1/2 and you actually find a 4 1/2, you buy).

I promised myself I would include some true pampering on my October Holiday. I found myself getting a mani/pedi complete with parrafin wax to soften my achy feet and a gel manicure to look girly for the first time since baby was born. I must say I enjoyed every girly, selfish, all about me, relaxing minute!! It was wonderful while it lasted and I am seriously making this a monthly routine. Now if only I could cut out eating lunch for one week in the month, maybe I can afford it... Hey, 2 kids are expensive!!

I went to pick up the toddler and spend quality time with baby who were both somewhat sniffly-sneezy. I enjoyed the rest of the night with my lil guys. And that completed, what I realize now is, the perfect "new me day. Time with hubby, time for myself, relax/refresh/recharge, and time with my lil guys. That is my idea of a great holiday. Would it had been more perfect if I had the same day,say, in Hawaii? Maybe...but I'll take an October Holiday In the Bay any day :)

Brotherly Love

This will be an interesting thing to watch as these two get older. My Andrew, age 3, is a great big brother. Very loving and kind to his lil bro. But he still demands attention just like any normal toddler with a new sibling. All aside, when I see big brother loving little brother, it makes my heart sigh to know they're going to love each other. Even if loving means hitting, yelling, and sometimes stealing each other's fruit snacks in the coming years. There's nothing like some good brotherly lovin'.

29 weeks - Exhausted!!

Oh my gosh!! I can't even to begin to explain the feelings of exhaustion I've been feeling lately. Grant it, we went on vacation to Vegas for a week (our final before new baby). Then after a week of working took another long drive to LA for the weekend for our Australian cousin's wedding- Congrats JB and Annie! All well worth the efforts, but now I feel like my body needs to recoop. So I've taken the day off to rest- sue me!

I was sitting at my computer yesterday, so exhausted I could barely think. I know our trips took a toll on me and James, but I finally gave in to the fact that being pregnant is tiring and I may need more time to recover than the average traveler. But I really don't remember being this tired with Andrew. I'm so exhausted lately. Last night, I made sure to get an ample 7.5 hours of sleep (plenty for me these days), I took a shower, even ate a little and still feel so weary! This too shall pass and all that. Just trying to figure out what to do in the meantime.

Now is also the time to really prepare for baby. As we enter the last trimester, we just barely started a registry and are sorting out the clothes and items that we can reuse from Andrew. So much to do in the final stretch, including moving Andrew into his new room to make room for the lil one in our room. This also means us buying a new bed, which is a task in itself. Here's to hoping all these things can happen before baby arrives :).

Pregnantus Domesticus = Cupcakes

Whew- Coming on 25 weeks and can't believe it's moving so fast! I feel so pregnant these days- tired, backaches, and lots of waddling. Top it off with this recent cold and I'm a walking, achy zombie. But getting better and more well adjusted. Pic at 25 weeks:



Latest mental notes of the Prego:
= Leggings are great!! Did not utilize these at all in last pregnancy. Comfy, cute and very versatile. My new fave.
= Having a cold while pregnant bites. I cannot take any meds! I'm not even really supposed to drink orange juice. Lots of oranges, soups, and rest. Ugh, the natural cures- how unbearable!! haha
= I got curious and wanted to peek in the envelope. The hubby said I was denied- way to go with the will power hun!!


The latest in the pregnancy sagas- NESTING. Every night (minus the nights where we've been so pooped from the whole family being sick) I've been wanting to clean and/or bake. This is not good for my good food intake! I've only gained 8 lbs to this point which is very good and on track with what the doctor wants. But pancakes and eggs last night, cupcakes tonight, who knows what tomorrow...This is not good for me or the hubby!





I'm bringing the majority of the cupcakes to work to divide and conquer the calories. Hopefully they will appreciate my nesting for their treats! Until then, maybe I need to explore some nutritious baking recipes. That will get me into less trouble. I'm gonna try try try to cook better and eat better so the fam will eat better too. But need to forgive the occasional cupcake ;)

Fashion for the round and getting rounder

22 weeks and I’m getting round. The second I eat anything my belly balloons into this tight ball- like I’ve got a large balloon under my shirt. The waddle has begun, and dammit it feels good! Only becuz it’s more comfortable to walk a bit slower and creates more stability for me.

I noticed last night that my shirts are getting shorter no matter how much I try to pull them down! Full maternity wardrobe here I come…But for the matter of being financially conscious, does anyone know of some inexpensive, versatile, yet somewhat stylish pieces to have in a maternity fashion collection? I’m a bigger girl so I don’t necessarily sport a cute lil baby bump on a small frame. But I do have a baby bump that needs room to grow in comfortable clothing- hopefully cute clothing! Just trying to be more girly this time around. Last time was all about t-shirts and whatever maternity clothes were on sale. This time I’m trying to be more aware.

Hmph, more girly…does that mean I’m having a girl?

Don't forget about the hubby!

Check out this article I read on momlogic.com called "I fell in love with my baby, and out of love with my husband." Just a reminder not to forget the husbands that helped us get to the wonderful family we have today. I think we all forget or neglect the hubby that needs our love also. It's tough to fit everything in but we have to make time. He needs us just as much as the baby does!


http://www.momlogic.com/2010/11/i_fell_in_love_with_my_baby_an.php

We're pregnant with #2!

My hubby and I recently found out we are pregnant. It was a surprise...we thought we were going to stop "trying" for a while-- even though we weren't really trying. We just weren't not trying. A pleasant surprise, really. We do want a second. But I didn't know he/she would come in the midst of all of this...stuff.

An amazing opportunity came up for a new job. At the same time, I was finally getting a promotion at my old job- one I had been waiting almost 3 years for. I was in a place where I was comfortable, knew what I was doing, but just not happy with the role that I played. Finally comes the opportunity to do the things I know I was capable of for this company, but this new opportunity was in a field I am passionate about and brings together my capabilities faster than the promotion would. I took the new job- so far so good!

Somewhere in August, I decided to compete in this year's hula competition. A unique feat because we are doing 2 dances that directly relate to Kumu's Loea. That's her new hula guru of sorts. These are important, special dances to her- thus they are to us too. We have a good group- 5 of us who have been there at least 3-8+ years. The other girls are younger but also have experience in competition. It's a really good time to do competition. But apprently, my babies love hula competition and always wanna come into my life during competition time. I guess it's meant to be...

So here I am...pregnant at a new job. Just waiting for my next appointment with an OB to confirm all is well to tell my job. This new job was one of the reasons we were gonna hold off on trying. I just hope everything goes well when I do tell them. :/ Until then... I'm pregnant and it's so great to envision such a bright future full of possibility!