Anticipation

Tomorrow, Michael, Alice & I head south for our 10 year college reunion. I'm so beyond excited - for an escape from the City, a trip to Charlottesville, a visit with friends. The weather forecast is promising and for that I'm grateful.

It's sure to be an interesting day in the office as reports continue to develop on the Health Dept's plan to limit large sizes of soda. Fun!!

Happy sunshine-filled morning!!

Summer's Beginning

Heaven

What an amazing weekend. Amazing. That's all we have to say.

After this horrendous week, we needed to recover. And that's just what we did. We spent hours in the park. We ate yummy food. We slept and we played. We visited with our fabulous friend Russell.

Alice has discovered the deliciousness of bagels & cream cheese.

 

 She finally let me put a ponytail in her hair at the park.

 

We watched a girls basketball team working out. Alice was enthralled, and wanted to work out alongside with them. Here she is, practicing her squats.

 

I've had such a delicious weekend. And now it is Sunday night. I've had a difficult few months professionally, and after a couple of gorgeous days with my family, I realize how hard a time I am having. I wish there were a way to make my Saturdays more a part of my life. Perhaps a goal for the next few months.

14 Week Baby Bump

Flip Sides

What made today bad:
* Every time I rode the train, I spent 15 minutes in the bathroom trying not to throw up.
* Alice had 2 major meltdowns and a timeout between 5:30 and 8 pm.
* I am so tired now that I feel sick.

What made today good:
* Alice ate food today, for the first day since Sunday.
* I didn't have to cook dinner.
* I had small professional victories.
* At Alice's doctor's visit this morning, we found out she is not anemic!!
* It was sunny and beautiful at the end of the day.

Horrible

Today has been a horrible day. After getting Alice and M off this morning and getting dinner prepped, I boarded the train(s) to get to work. By the time I reached the stop just before my office, I had to get off the train to keep from passing out and/or throwing up. I managed to cool off and pull myself together enough to get back on the train. I got to work and started crying immediately.

Couldn't quite handle movement, so had to wait at the office until I could get home from QUEENS. More tears.

Spent the day on the couch. M picked up Alice and about 10 minutes later she had a massive poop that went all the way up her back. Smelled of rotten eggs. Horrible.

Then I proceeded the throw up through dinner.

I wish our parents lived here so they could help. Terrible.

The Weekend

Oh, it was amazing. Two days of abundant sunshine and blue skies. Two days in the park with my wonderful family. I am so lucky.

And - in honor of my Grandma Hitch - I made a strawberry and rhubarb cobbler with vanilla ice cream that was to die for!

Amazing Day as "Nanny"

Such a productive day!!

Love Expanded

Here's some exciting news that Michael, Alice and I are happy to share: we are expecting another baby to join our family this November!!

 

We are just now finishing up with the first trimester, which has been marked by near constant fatigue and nausea. My poor husband hasn't seen me awake past 9 PM in about two months. I really miss chocolate and dessert, none of which my stomach seems to be willing to handle. 

It's hard to wrap my mind around another baby. We've been planning for him or her for some time, hoping to be blessed with another addition. And now that this little one is really here, now that I can't hide the baby bump, now that this little bug is starting to take shape - literally - I find myself overwhelmed by the prospect. Knowing the ways in which Alice revolutionized our lives - how she shattered any understanding of love before we had her, how she redefined entertainment and "sleeping in" and busy and exhaustion... Knowing that our lives are about to be upended once again. Well, honestly, it's just exciting. 

This time my anxiety is much less, and my joy more. I can't wait for Alice to be a big sister. And for Michael and I to have another baby to love and care for and raise. We are so blessed, and so happy to share our news with our community of friends and family. What a joyous time.