33 Week Baby "Bump"!

Busy Bodies

Family Fun!

32 Weeks!

Bedtime

Alice, petting my head.

"Momma, you're the best in the whole world."

My heart melts.

Daze

The past couple of weeks have been focused on potty training and switching Alice to the big girl bed. Which has left us exhausted.

Here's the day in a nutshell: Alice and I are up at 6:30. We read a book, drink a cup of tea, and take a shower together. We make lunch and eat breakfast. I get dressed and RUN to work. Then I run, anxious to do a good job for at least eight hours. Then run home and fix dinner and have quality family time. Then Alice and I take a bath and we read some books and we try to get her ready for sleeping. Then we do some work. And I crash.

And soon there will be another baby in this mix?

30 Week Baby Bump!!

Big Girl

29 Week Baby Bump!

Loving

This weekend, Michael, Alice and I had a whirlwind trip to the DC area. We left on the 6:45 am train on Saturday morning, and came back on the 8:10 am train today. Not much sleep (I need a vacation after my long weekend), but all for a great cause: we were elebrating my brother's engagement.

The party was - unsurprisingly - perfect. My mom knows how to throw a shindig! The house looked amazing, and the food was delicious. And it was just awesome to meet Eileen's family. They were all so fun and warm, just like Eileen. It's exciting to add a new addition to our family unit, to have another person join the holiday fray. The best part is that we genuinely like Eileen.

This post should be longer and more specific, but it's too late for that. But just to share our lasting feelings from the weekend: exhaustion, love and excitement.

Another Reason I'm Excited for November

27 weeks!

Alice's Self Portrait

25 weeks!

We thought she was sleeping in the big girl bed...

Breathing

 

We have had a stressful, and absolutely wonderful, stretch. July passed in a blurry haze of travel, with trips to Massachusetts, Bethlehem and Rehoboth Beach. Mom came to help watch Alice several times after our nanny left to have her baby girl. Michael and I took turns watching our sweet girl. And - did I forget to mention? - I started a new job!

In many ways, I feel like I did in high school, just before starting a new year of classes. Michael and I are settling down into city life for the next few months. We've found a lovely young woman to watch Alice until her brother joins us. And I'm ready to sink my teeth into this new job. I've come back from vacation rested, and eager to hold on to the peace that defined most of our time away from the city.

Several weeks ago, there was a fabulous article in the Times called, "The Busy Trap." I've been thinking a lot about how to structure our lives in such a way that we don't buy into this absurdity. I'd like to be conscientious about this, particularly over the next few months before our new baby arrives. Any suggestions are welcome!

Some of my other favorite pictures from our vacation:

 

 

 

 

 

Day with Daddy

My New Office

Beginnings

Tomorrow my new job begins! It's mildly overwhelming. But I've enjoyed a lovely long weekend, and some special time with Alice. More to share on another day...

Baking

Sunset

Adventures in Babysitting

Today Alice and I went to a beach in Staten Island! Henry generously left us his car, so we have been taking advantage of it, driving out of the city as much as possible. I can't believe this beautiful beach is only 1 hour from our house - what a treat! Alice loved burying her feet in the sand, watching the water come in and out, and jumping over the water. She also loved the ice cream!

She didn't really like sharing it with me, though...

I am very emotional these days. Between the pregnancy and the job transition, there seems to be a lot going on in my head. I am going to miss my colleagues/friends so much, and leaving something you know for something you don't is just... horrifying. I've had so many horrible work experiences - terrible bosses, general meanness, and lots of whinny folks. But my tenure at the Health Department has been marked by the complete opposite - nothing but love, support, encouragement and faith. I am just trying to remind myself that I am no longer a 23-year old youngster who doesn't know how to respond to difficult situations. And that I have heard lovely things about my new office. I'm excited for the new challenge, and a little daunted by it as well...

I'm so pregnant

Dreams of Drives

Water

Balance

Happiness is...

Changes

 

This is the summer of change. On Wednesday, I resigned from my job at the Health Department. After 5 years working with the same amazing and inspiring team, I've accepted a new position in education.

I've been very conflicted about this decision. I interviewed for the job back in January, and as the slow, S L O W wheels of City beuracracy turned, I debated the move endlessly. Oh, and I also got pregnant. 

As I understand it, my new job will require more hours, more stress, and more analytic skills than I currently possess.  But it also comes with a slightly higher profile, more pay, and a new and engaging environment. I'm moving from an office that understands what it means to be a mother of young children into one that is occupied by younger, single women. Is this a good move? Who knows! But I do think it is time for a professional change.

Additional news from last week: our nanny left for (indefinite) maternity leave. We are facing a month without steady child care, but actually I'm excited. My mom is coming up for a bunch of days, Michael and I are both taking some time off, and we've hired a babysitting service for a few days as well. We're looking forward to a month of having Alice at home, not having to commute the 20 blocks south to our friends' house, and just enjoying the long summer days.

Please pray for our household. These changes are good, ultimately, but they are stressful, and not without worry. Thank you.

June

Warning: this is the most boring post ever.

I realize it's been a while since I actually wrote anything on this little blog. I've gotten good at posting pictures, but not at sitting down and putting "pen" to paper.

June has been a hectic and stressful month. We're in the midst of transition around here - our nanny is about to have her baby, so our childcare arrangements are changing yet again. My professional life has been topsy-turvy. And we spent a few days stressed over test results for our sweet baby baby boy (who is totally healthy, thank goodness!).

So all this to say - I'm sorry I've been so quiet. I've missed writing as a way to process what I'm thinking and feeling. My poor husband has been stuck with a rather emotional wife lately. I'll try to be better...

I have re-instituted one part of life that makes me slightly more sane: my morning cup of tea. Now that the sun is up nice and early, and my first trimester has come and gone, I'm back to waking 30 minutes before the rest of the house to enjoy some quiet time, reading and drinking my tea. So soothing.

Cute

19 weeks!

Say hello, baby boy!!

16 Week Baby Bump!

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.