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.

Today was a Good Day

 

We had a wonderful family-focused day. We woke up a little late, went for a walk outside, met Naomi & family at the playground, and ate lunch in the park. Alice and I made her first smoothly, and she said it was, "so yummy." We came home for Alice's nap, I took a little snooze, then cooked dinner, and snuck in a walk before we ate. As we were enjoying the lasagna, Alice tested out how hot it was and reported that it was, "not bad." To top it off, Alice was ready for bed by 8:25. 

We've had a very hectic few weeks. Michael's job is always busy this time of year, and our nanny's growing baby belly has required many a day covering her doctor's visits. It feels like we've had very few nights like tonight - where I had dinner ready early, dishes cleaned before we sat down for dinner, and we were rested before the week ahead of us. 

Usually our Sunday's include a trip to the grocery store and the laundry. This weekend I managed to go to the grocery store on Saturday and we just skipped laundry, putting it off for tomorrow. I think those two little adjustments really helped make this weekend more relaxed and enjoyable. I realize these few sentences are SO boring, but they are the realities that make up our lives right now. We spend time together, we get food on the table, we prepare for life. And the more we can find joy in these routines - and small, simple ways to regroup - the better.

Bagels are YUMMY!!!

Birthday Baby

Dear Alice,

Happy birthday, my sweet baby!!! On Thursday, you turned TWO!! To celebrate, Daddy, you and I went to Virginia to celebrate with Grandma, Grandpa, PapPap, GiGi, Uncle Henry, Aunt Eileen and Bumpa. We had a lovely pizza dinner, with cake and ice cream sent especially for you from Grandma LeeLee.

At two, you love to do things, "all by myself, Mommy!" You eat your yogurt by yourself, climb into your car seat by yourself, rock in the rocking chair by yourself, take off your shoes all by yourself... Your personality is so unbearably sweet. You love to give hugs, and you have fun tickling Mommy and Daddy.

Your Aunt Kelsey sent you "Corduroy" for your birthday, and it has quickly become one of your favorite reads. You are also enjoying "Horses" and "Alice the Fairy." You bring lots of lovies to bed with you every night - Froggie and Zebra and Abby and Dora and Corduroy and books and blankie and soothie. There's hardly room for you.

I love you, and am so grateful for all the blessings you bring, baby girl. You are such a joy for Mommy and Daddy! And you just have the sweetest heart.

I love you more than anything ever!!

Love,

Mommy

***

PS You love singing, "I love you. You love me. We're a happy family..." And then you love to play with your imaginary big, pink, scary monster!!

Easter Eggs

Snow

Today, by a miracle of miscommunication, Anna and I ended up with all three girls for the afternoon. We all decorated Easter eggs - terrific fun - and did some painting as well. I'm not in the slightest bit artistic, but it seems like Alice has picked up that gene from her daddy - she loves to paint and color and draw. We had a great time.

Then we walked to Chipotle to meet Michael for dinner. The sunshine was out, and the weather perfect. On our walk home, we passed a huge snow mound - remnants of a film shoot on the Barnard campus today. Alice loved climbing up with daddy!!! A lovely evening all around.