Halfway

We are now at the halfway mark of my pregnancy - 20 weeks. I remark often to people that I sometimes forget I'm pregnant. Running (literally) after a feisty toddler all day keeps your mind busy. Things are definitely different this time around. No more lounging around perusing my pregnancy books and daydreaming abut the nursery's color scheme. Instead, I cherish the times when I do feel the baby's gentle kicks and nudges amid the time-outs, dog-food spilling, food making (not eating), animal noises, and Elmo. Riley is going to love being a big sister. For example, here is a snapshot of Riley using my big 'ol bra as a sort of baby sling. She says, "Baby Boobies." I'm so proud....

Here is a quick video of her taking care of her baby doll. I overheard her talking to her baby, saying, "Eat baby, sit baby, baby sleep..." so I tried to covertly catch a few glimpses of the mommy in training. PS. Our walls our not pink...the camera is on "color swap" and evidently I am not savvy enough to fix it.

The headache of all headaches

This afternoon, it happened. I had the WORST migraine I have ever had. I'm not sure what it feels like when you have an aneurysm, but I believe I got pretty close. I blame two things: Pregnancy hormones and Riley's screaming. Evidently she may be auditioning for the opera pretty soon and is perfecting her craft.

So, there I am, laying in my dark bedroom as Riley naps in the other room. Sitting beside me, some remnants of my half-eaten brownie and a can of coke - of which I took a sip out of when I took one Tylenol. The bag of Tylenol is laying next to the can. I have a wet washcloth over my eyes and as I ponder my near death, my heart starts beating out of my chest.

It's sort of like when your Mom tells you to wear clean underwear in case the firemen have to cut you out of your cars and clothes after an accident.

So - there I am, laying in my coke/brownie ruins and all I could think about was if the firemen show up, they would find a fat, pregnant lady, next to her snacks and Tylenol. Seriously, I couldn't even rest despite the pounding in my brain. I had to get up and clean up my mess before I continued with my nap. Does it get any more neurotic than that?

PS. Headache is gone and my hypochondria lives on!

My Cup Runneth Over

Remember my run in with the Motherhood Maternity clerk? Well, after patently waiting for my Internet-ordered bras, they finally arrived. Bulk Mail.

A lot of moms-to-be look forward to ample bosoms during pregnancy. Not this Momma. I have enough, thank you very much. So, needless to say I am not jumping for joy as I strap my puppies into these slightly snug over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders. I am hoping to God that it doesn't get any worse and that breastfeeding doesn't bring on new, freakish proportions because my back and shoulders can't take much more. Ahhh...the joys of motherhood.

Check out Riley's modeling the newest additions to my wardrobe. I'm pretty sure that she can use them as flotation devices should the occasion arise.

Lovin' on Love

Today, the calendar says February 14th. A day to tell the people around us how much we love them. I try to make it a point that "I love you" are the words that Dan and Riley hear the most from me. When Crazy Lady is having a meltdown, I have been known to lean over and whisper to her, "I love you." It's for both of us really. I never hang up the phone from my parents, brother, or Dan, without exchanging those three words. Before bed, you can hear "I love yous" all around. So, it comes as no surprise that I love Valentine's Day.

This Valentine's Day, we tried to keep our traditions alive while also throwing in a few new things.

First, Riley and I organized a little scavenger hunt for Daddy. Riley wrote some really good clues if I do say so myself :) One of his gifts, conveniently, was a heart-shaped cut-outs, perfect for making Daddy's famous pancakes. Another activity Riley supervised.Then, Riley got a frog balloon and some rubber lizards to play with. She has had a small obsession with all things slithery lately. I got some new stainless steel cups that are supposed to keep you drink cold for 12 hours. This Mommy is excited about that. I have been downing water lately like it's going out of style. We had a lazy rest of the day but managed to sneak in one more tradition - fondue. I made cheese fondue while Dan grilled chicken on the grill. We enjoyed the cold evening snuggling under a blanket and preventing our child from dipping her hands into the fondue pot. My, how Valentine's evenings have changed...but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

George & Harrison

We had a great, although chilly, day yesterday. Our friends invited us to join them at Barnes & Noble to see Curious Gorge. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to see one of Riley's favorites.

George was sort of mauled like a rock-star when he first entered the children's area.

Once the volunteers (sort of) got organized, we began standing in line to see the main man. Riley waited patiently on Daddy's shoulders, waving and repeating, "Hi George." The smells within the holding area grew a little questionable, but our turn finally came. Dan and I had money on Riley's pending meltdown and panic attack, but she sat like a big girl on his lap. For some reason, she wouldn't stop sucking on her fingers and George was even nice enough to try to pull her hands away from her mouth. She wasn't buying it.

After Riley's buddy, Harrison, had his turn, we were off to Lakes Park for a picnic. The kids and respective Daddies had fun on the playground, the kids munched on bits of fruit and cheese, and the Mommies watched over the food and sleeping baby.

Harrison was even nice enough to share some Curious George fruit snacks with Riley. Is there love in their future? He does think she's a cutie :)

Thank you K family for a fun-filled day!

Mommy does Yoga

I have been talking about it for a while but today, being the productive girl that I am, I attended my first Mommy-to-be Yoga class.

I left feeling refreshed and relaxed. I used to love doing yoga but it became one of those things that got lost in the shuffle of a hectic life. But this forced me to be still, quiet, and to focus on the baby inside of me, not the one yelling, "Sit Mommy," every few minutes.

However, things have changed a bit since striking a yoga pose pre-baby.

1. My constant need to urinate through the hour-long class.
2. The instructor telling us to "press on our ovary with our heel" as we bent forward. I'm not sure where my ovary is and not exactly sure I want my foot pressing into it.
3. The feeling that at any moment I was going to pass gas.
4. Looking around the room and realizing that the lady with twins on the way is in much better shape than me.
5. Staring at my three, large, round objects in the mirror for the entire time.

I went out after class and bought myself a yoga mat. I kept thinking about getting MRSA from those nasty things so I had a hard time "letting go" during relaxation time. I can't wait to head back next week (with a new, clean mat).

Productive

For the first time in about 18 weeks or so, I am feeling productive and motivated. A get-off-the-couch-get-out-of-jammies-and-shower-put-on-makeup kind of mood. Riley likes it too. We have spent the last few days doing stickers, playing outside, rolling on the floor laughing, and dancing. She has quite beautifully mastered the booty shake. I even signed Riley up for a tumbling-tot class.

I am also thankful. The Quad-screen blood test (the check's for baby abnormalities) came back "normal" and I am thankful to have another healthy baby - because you know, not every family is so lucky. So, even though my floor still still needs to be swept and laundry needs to be folded - I feel productive and happy. I have Valentine's cupcakes baking in the oven, a baby sleeping, and the windows open. And....I'm not puking. That's always a plus.

Story Time with Daddy

Before bed, we have made it a habit to read to Riley. We do it to stimulate her mind and to settle her down before bed. She likes to read in order to stall. The more books she hands us, the longer, she thinks, it will take to go to bed. We are on to her tactic. At least I am. Daddy is a little bit of a sucker. Here is Riley and Daddy, cozy in their little nest of pillows and blankets reading Curious George Makes Pancakes. If you watch closely, you can even see her making motions to go along with the story. So curl up in bed and hit play, Dan will take care of the story time tonight.

The Big 3-0 (and a special announcement)

The day has come and went. My thritieth birthday was surprisingly the same as any other day except for a big difference: We found out that Baby 2 will be a healthy girl! We are so excited. Dan keeps mumbling something about paying for two weddings, but is ecsatic to have another Daddy's girl arond the house. During the ultrasound, OBGYN extraoidinarie cmmented to Dan, "You are going to be outnumbred." After I reminded him of Murphy, he replied, "He doesn't count, he is a coward." Very true.

So, to commemerate my thirtieth birthday, I will compile my 30 Highs and Lows of the past few days. In no particular order....

1. The fantastic voyage on the "Majesty of the Seas." It was an awesome time spent with the best of friends, eating lots of food, laughing till you peed your pants, dancing while remembring to "watch it", and singing karaoke because that's what you do on a cruise.
2. Baby 2 has finally started making some noticeable movements.
3. Riley has successfully pooped and peed on the potty.
4. I have been feeling better - managing to stay on top of the housework more now and even managed to cook some dinners.
5. I bought some new maternity clothes.
6. Was told by the Motherhood Maternity clerk that they didn't carry bras in my size and that I would have to special order them online or go to Lane Bryant.
7. Realized that I have no fashion sense what-so-ever.
8. I have come to terms with that.
9. I thank God every day that my Mom and brother do and can be my personal shoppers.
10. Realized that even at 30 - you still you need your Mom and Dad as much as you did when you were a child.
11. Turned in a big portion of my research paper before we embarked on our fantastic birthday cruise.
12. Have been thinking about enrolling Riley into a tot-tumbling class.
13. Have been thinking about enrolling myself into a Mommy to-be Yoga class.
14. Scheduled a pre-natal massage for Saturday.
15. Had a massive breakdown on our fantastic voyage about my baby acne.
16. My best friend, Melissa saved the day.
17. Discovered some new make-up from Lancome.
18. Went to lancome only to find the Dior lady. She looked at my face and kept repeating, "You poor thing."
19. I ordered my own birthday cake because I knew Dan would be too busy.
20. I thought it was hilarious (and so did the Publix bakery man). It felt good to not be embarrassed and even a little bit liberated.
21. Ate, said birthday cake, for dessert last night and breakfast this morning, washed down with a big glass of milk.
22. Have been enjoying mini-chocolate donuts lately. They are the devil.
23. Found out that Dan's friends from college are also expecting their second girl on the same day!
24. Got lots of great phone calls, emails, texts, and facebook messages wishing me a happy birthday. That never gets old.
25. Discovered a new gray hair.
26. Breakfast with my best bud.
27. Dinner with friends and family.
28. Josh dancing to a karaoke version of "Shout" as he was "taken over by Jesus."
29. The fact that Melissa got it all on video.
30. The funniest person I know: My brother, Kyle.