I still drink heavily.

It really wasn't all that long ago that I blogged about how I've started drinking pretty regularly.  Here's the thing, today is my 2nd anniversary of being nuptially... responsible? Anyway, I felt that was a perfect excuse for a drink while cooking dinner! The Disaronno is always calling my name and a brand new, never opened bottle of Prosecco was hiding ever-so-quietly behind it. Except I'm a virgin when it comes to opening bottles of bubbly. Mr. G or my dad are the designated bottle openers when it comes to this stuff. So I turned to my good friend, Devon, at The Food Bitch Blog to walk me though the scary process. Because I looked like this...

all hippy mom and shit (complete with 7th Generation cleaning products because I'ma freak), and because I have one of these...

 ...enter insane toddler, I didn't want any bottles going all T.I. & poppin' in the direction of my  children. The ever so kind Ted Allen walked me through the process, and I, of course, saw an opportunity to be 15 and make dirty jokes.

Oh look! My bottle has a ... Well, you get my drift.

After holding my breath in anticipation, I popped the shit of that bottle. I may have even squealed in delight! Who am I kidding, I squealed. And giggled. Like a school girl. ME!? At the thought of alcohol. WHO AM I?

One of these things is not like the other.

So here I am innocently emptying the dishwasher I found when this.

This is what it's like having a toddler. Half eaten apples in the compartment of her tricycle. Three week old sippy cups hidden neatly behind a play kitchen. Mouthwash tucked into the lower part of a cabinet, just waiting to be discovered. It's almost as if she is reminding me who runs this joint. Because it sure as shit ain't me!

The one where I start drinking. Heavily.

Two under two is no joke. Even though you feel like the joke is on you. More than once. In one day. Because your toddler just woke up with shit on her foot, which answers the proverbial is-that-chocolate-or question, & the baby is screaming her bloody head off.

I didn't drink much before I had kids. Plural. Kids. Because even with Layla it was a rare occasion I sipped any kind of alcoholic beverage. Every so often I'd have a glass of wine to keep myself from jumping of a turnpike overpass. That was it. These days? It's a daily occurrence.

I now understand why people with more than one child drink. Last night I had a Blue Moon. Two nights before a Disaronno with cranberry while nursing Stella. Yes, while nursing, because if I didn't I would've been on the 5 o'clock news.

"Mom of two hides in bathroom. Refuses to come out. What appears to be grape jelly smeared all over windows of back French doors."

This is beyond the fact that I watch Max and his overbearing, controlling asshole of a sister Ruby and Mickey Mouse Club House on repeat from 8am to 8pm. I'd rather have a root canal than watch Goofy lose his mother effing hat for the 15th time this week. And all I want to do is sit and watch the Real Housewives of NJ marathon but I can't because the TV Gestapo is on top of her shit and will throw her self on the floor in a fit of rage if I so much as pick up the TV remote.

So I said to myself a few days ago, have a drink. It'll help. And it did. Then I said to myself, for every tantrum Layla throws you can have another drink. Except I'd be drunk. All day. Everyday. Not exactly functional for parenting? Too bad.

Stella Faith

Let me preface this by saying I'm clearly and certifiably insane. Why? ...because I popped this kid out o'naturale. Yes, folks, no epidural. No pain meds. Nothing. Nada. Except a lot of really weird noises and possibly some growling.

Here's Stella's birth story:

Around 6:30am on August 20th I started to have contractions. Nothing big but enough to semi-wake me up. These lasted on and off and pretty irregular all morning. Around 10:30 I knew shit was real when I lost what remained of my mucus plug. I know, just what you wanted to hear, but hey, this is a mommy blog and a birth post.

Moving on... I had an appointment at 3:15 to see my midwife, so I just kept that and went about my day. Got a manicure. Had a great lunch. Rested on the couch. And a few hours later I pushed out a baby. It was everything I ever imagined labor to be. I wish...

So, the lunch and manicure part I totally did. The nail tech asked me when I was due and I just said, "Oh, soon," and smiled. Meanwhile, I'm slightly timing my contractions.

Fast forward to 3:15. At this point my contractions are every 7 minutes. My midwife says to go walk the mall. What a novel idea. My mother is than concerned my water will break while we're walking (which it never does. Midwife breaks it for me around 8cm), and I'm all, "we're at the mall, I'll buy a pair of pants." So we get in the car and head 10 minutes west to the mall. Except it's 4pm on the first afternoon of school and we get stuck in NYC worthy traffic. Now I'm breathing through contractions every 5 or so minutes and we decide to pull a let's not and say we did on the mall and head straight to the hospital.

Not a lot of excitement at the hospital, to be honest. A lot of walking. At one point I'm squatting in a pretty awkward position "oummmmmming" through gut ripping contractions. I had hired a doula who was worth every cent to remind me that I had a goal. She also snuck me candy and water. I liked her.

Here's the thing, though. That OMG urge to push. I didn't have it. Doula lady said I was bearing down through a few but I don't remember. Pushing was a struggle again this time. I'm just not a big fan of feeling like my bowels are going to ripped out. I had to find strength somewhere to get this kid out, so I made another noise I've never heard before and growled with every push. I'll tell ya, three pushes after that and Stella was welcomes into the big bad world.

She was born at 8:57pm - about 4.5 hours after being admitted. All natural. No tears. I'm one proud mom.. Of myself for what I did and who I created.

I should add that the recovery time on a natural birth is about a trillion times better than a medicated one. I'm dead serious.

Last belly pic! 

Proof that I was in labor. Sent to the famous Aussie Cass.

Her pedi called her a Backyardigan when she had this hat on.

This face <3

7lbs 10oz 21in of yum

First real look of her.

Holy s*%t

The awkward moment when you realize.. Wtf, I have TWO kids?

Yeah. That shit hits me everyday. Mainly when I'm trying to pee for the first time in 17 hours and there's a toddler knocking on the bathroom door and a two week old screaming in her swing for boob. Yes. A two week old.

Last time I updated on the belly I was barely pregnant. Ok, not barely. More like.. 'Hmm, did she have a big lunch or is she knocked the F up' pregnant. I think I was 24 weeks. Well, folks, since then I have sufficiently baked and birth a healthy baby girl named Stella Faith. I shall tell the extravagant tale of her birth another day. In the mean time, let's discuss what life is like with two under two.

Let me just say I love when little old ladies come up to me and point out the obvious:

"Oh, how precious. Newborn?"
"Yes. Two weeks."
{insert 'don't extend that wrinkled old lady hand, Ethel, or I'll bite' face.}
"And this little one is yours, too?"
{Oh, you mean the rabid toddler? Don't let her cute ringlets fool you.}
"She is mine. She'll be two in November."
{Did I mention she's for sale? ....kidding. Sometimes}
"Oh, my. You're going to have your hands full!"
"No shit."<- actually I don't say that, but I'm thinking it. I usually just smile and nod and pretend that I totally have my crap together and didn't forget to bring wipes or an extra newborn size diaper for the 14 day old shit machine.

And I have forgotten quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. Packing for two? Not so easy. Especially when you're half way out the door and remember you forgot to brush your teeth... & you're *this* close to saying screw it but then decided that the general public may not appreciate coffee breathe at 3pm - because let's face it, getting out before nap time in the first few weeks just isn't going to happen.

I only speak the truth here, friends. So I'll be honest and say showering has become a luxury. I'm not proud to admit I've picked sitting my puffy ass on the couch over bathing more than once since August 20th. But... There is something magical about seeing my girls together. Layla has been the best big sister. Attentive. Protective. Never jealous. Ok, I'm lying: jealous once when I made the mistake of wrapping Stella up in Layla's favorite blanket.

Anyway, I'm going to make this blog public again. As of right now. I documented so much of LG's life and I really should do the same for Stella. Except I see myself documenting the antics of having two girls under two and how we'll shit butterflies and fart sprinkles while wearing tutus and bows the size of our heads. Because having girls is THAT much fun. Even when little old ladies named Ethel tell me I'll have my hands full.

Letters to Layla

It's been a long time since I wrote one of these. Too long. Layla is 21 months on the 17th. Entering into 'terrible twodom'. Ready to become a big sister. Smart as a whip. Sassy. So very sassy.

You're a girl of few words. You pick words up and then throw them away. Cookie, fishie, baby - they all pop up here and there. You're more about doing things on your own time, and I can respect that. Smart is an understatement for you, though. Even your pediatrician said your brain is working faster than your mouth because you comprehend everything. Anything I say you understand. You study things. When someone is doing something you watch intensely. You only need to be shown how to do something once - maybe twice - and you know exactly what to do. I've learned that's a Scorpio trait and your father is the same way.

Still obsessed with music. You hum the songs to the Fresh Beat Band and we listen to 'Brighter than the sun' (only the Smash version, mind you) on repeat. We've started to introduce you to Italian music: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, as well as everything Broadway.

Sissy is well on her way to being here very very soon. As anxious as I am for what life will be like with two babies, I know you'll be the best big sister. We got you a baby doll to practice with and whenever you pick her up you say, "Awww baby," and it melts my heart.

It's amazing now being able to stay home with you full time. I'll tell you some days you drive me up the wall. I'm not perfect. I only have so much patience, but I'll tell you.. The moment you say "mama" with your little voice, I'm mush.

The things you let your toddler do...

...for the sake of a few quiet minutes.

Or, being so exhausted by 36 weeks pregnant that sitting in the beach is even a job. Sooo... You let your child play with the baby powder because a) whats the harm? They're covered in sand anyway and b) you get a moment of down time. Sometimes it's the little things.

And if you don't do this, don't say, "OMG FINE. Play with it!" you're lying through your teeth. ;)

Guess who's back. Back again.

I think a small blogging hiatus was much needed. Too much insanity, not enough funny, & let's be honest - being pregnant with a toddler is down right hilarious. So what's been going on?

Well, long story short: I became a stay at home mom. Yay! ....And we're moving (for real this time) to Toronto in the fall. Mr G is there now making it all homey and what have you. We've been down this path twice now, so this time we're listening.

Besides that? I'm pregnant. Like uber, holy-shit-she's-about-to-pop pregnant, or as a lady at the splash park said today, "OMG! You're so cute about to pop!" ..thanks? As I carry a 20 month old and try not to pee myself or have a top-portion wardrobe malfunction.

Let's be honest, I wasn't my funny self for a long time on this blog. I lost my humor. I went through a bout of pregnancy depression. I was looking for things to love when really... I wanted to crawl into bed with Ben and Jerry and scream F you! at the world while watching Gilmore Girls and hiding. But.. I'm better now. I have shit to say & I'm sure with two kids under two I'll have even more shit to say & stories about being peed and shit on.

Welcome back to the antics of the G family.

Ages & stages.

There have been some recent events that honestly kept me from blogging. In fact, I truly had no desire to blog again - until today. Yes, my blog is now private, so if you are reading this consider yourself very lucky. There is a reason my blog is private & I'd rather not share at the current moment. Just know that all is well. Babies are growing & toddlers are sassy which is way I've reconsidered the blogging. Layla is doing SO much and I want to document every moment. This blog was meant to document our life, for ME to remember years down the road, and despite other issues, that's exactly what I'm going to continue doing.

That being said, here goes a whole lotta ramblin' :)

First, Layla. Little miss 18 (almost 19!) months. Little miss independent. Little miss "I did it!" & "I got it!" & "Look!" Full of life and... attitude. Oh my god, the attitude. But the kisses are endless and the hugs are and tight and that makes up for the tantrum in the grocery store over a "ba-oon". One reason that changed my mind about documenting/blogging was saying to Mr. G today, "I love this age," though I'm pretty sure I've said that about every age so far. There is something about toddlerhood that I can't explain. The way this tiny human acts like a pint-sized adult and you have to think, where the hell did you learn that? Like when Layla pulls her sun visor off the window of the car to peak outside, or grabs our cell phones when they ring and promptly brings them to us (she also knows whose phone belongs to who). How she opens the door to the pantry and grabs the Nutella and says "yummm" (yes, my child has good taste). This age is fun. There's playing, and dancing, and learning. Not that there isn't with an infant, but toddlers are ... for lack of a better word, entertaining. I'm excited to see what the next 6 months into toddlerhood and on our way to two brings.

picking out her first fish!

Moving on to the baby belly:

How far along?: 28 weeks tomorrow! Officially in the 3rd tri. I thought time was flying before... the count down is on.

Total weight gain: 26lbs. I'm up at least 4lbs every 3-4 weeks. I've started to get on the scale backwards. lol

Maternity clothes?: Pants. Shorts. I love my cotton skirts and old navy tanks.

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep: Got up 5 (FIVE) times last night to pee. Was so thankful when Layla slept till 8:30 this morning

Miss Anything?: being able to take a deep breath.

Movement: TONS. She's head down, has been for the last 4 weeks... just like Layla was. So feet are in my ribs. She still swaps her butt from side to side, but I can pretty much gage where she is.

Food cravings: Mexican

Food aversions: Not really anymore.

Gender: GIRL! ALL GIRL! Two girls 22 months apart? I can't even. Dresses. Tutus. Bows. PINK. I die.

Labor Signs: Still getting BH. They are coming more regularly especially when I do too much. Lots of cramping and pressure because she is head down but no real contractions yet.

27 week belly

& just for shits and giggles, 28 week belly with Layla. 

Bloggers block

I'm not going to lie. Blogging hasn't been easy or fun. I find myself at a loss for words, wondering if anyone reads (and subsequently cares) what I'm writing. I've been meaning to comment on the Time article that swept in and gave crunchy mommas everywhere this holier than thou complex. I want to write about the amazing things the Endo Foundation of America has been doing (and how I so wish I could write or blog for them). I want to write that I'm ready to nest and be all yay!baby!, but I'm stuck in a rut because we're just so lacking the space. I'd love to write about how my 18 month old thinks she's 18 years old and how her new favorite word is 'oops'. ... But I'm tired, and starting to feel pregnant, and the possibility of my job no longer existing in my little world is looming ever so close to reality. So I'm awake at 11:45 on a Sunday night researching articles on vaccinations and scaring (hmm 2nd guessing) myself into wondering what exactly IS mom enough before I bring L into her 18 month appointment tomorrow morning.

And then I realize... Holy shit is almost 12, I need to go to bed....so I sign off here to check FB one last time (we all do!) and say good night to the world.

23/24 weeks aka 13 weeks to go, give or take.

How far along?: 24w

Total weight gain: 20lbs. I gained the most this month and last month. My exercise took a dip because I cannot breath. No biggie!

Maternity clothes?: Pants. Shorts. I love my cotton skirts and old navy tanks.

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep: I'm exhausted. Sleep is not a problem

Best moment this week: Going back for a 2nd high-def ultrasound. The Perinatologist wanted to check her heart and thank goodness we left knowing she's got a perfect one!

Miss Anything?: being able to take a deep breath.

Movement: She's a little jumping bean.

Food cravings: Mexican

Food aversions: Not really anymore.

Gender: GIRL! ALL GIRL! Two girls 22 months apart? I can't even. Dresses. Tutus. Bows. PINK. I die.

Labor Signs: Not really labor signs but Braxton hicks and pressure. She is head down already (same as her sissy) and giving mommy cramps and BHs. So far NST and an internal show no signs of real contractions ;)

Symptoms: I still get morning sickness, especially if I go without eating over 2 hours.

Belly Button in or out?: In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: my 28th bday on Thursday. Daytona. Disney. Mother's day!


And in other news, someone got a potty! Layla started to pull at her diaper and I never thought anything of it. She would also go hide in the corner any time she has to poop. Last week she has a full on tantrum trying to get her diaper off. So... I gave in and took it off of her. Not 10 minutes later she poop on the floor. Mr G and I agreed we wouldn't push the issue but we did buy her a potty. Whenever mommy or daddy go potty she follows us into the bathroom and sits down. We talk about how you go peepee in the bathroom and she sort of looks like WTF are you talking about. I will say that she did beg for her diaper off a few days ago and she did pee next to the potty... So, small steps. Lol

22 weeks!

How far along?: 22 weeks

Total weight gain: No idea right now. I was up 15lbs at my last appointment, and I'm going to be honest - weight gain for me this time has ben difficult. I'm packing on the pounds. My appetite is massive. MUCH more than it was with Layla.  It's especially hard because when I got pregnant I was just starting to like my post-Layla body again. My boobs had finally gone down from nursing, I was at a comfortable weight, & training for two half marathons. Watching my weight creep up as I sit back & try and eat healthy (I try with lots of fruit & well balanced meals, along with regular exercise... Which is dropping because as she moves up I can't seem to breathe) is hard. 

Maternity clothes?: All maternity pants all the time :) Motherhood had a great BOGO deal on jeans! And I have lots of cotton skirts and dresses that will last me through the summer. 

Stretch marks?: Nope! 

Sleep: Same. Just getting up to pee. Best moment this week: Mr G got to feel little miss ISG from the outside :D 

Miss Anything?: Being able to take a deep breath. I feel like there's an elephant on my chest. Movement: TONSFood cravings: Mexican. Tacos. Burritos. Guac. Nachos. Must.have.now. In fact, we're having chicken tacos w/ lime cilantro rice, mexican corn & queso for dinner. OBSESSED.  

Food aversions: Not really anymore. 

Gender: Girly bits.

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: I still get morning sickness, especially if I go without eating over 2 hours. 

Belly Button in or out?: In. 

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: My birthday, Mother's day, Disney (again), & mommy & daddy trip to Bahamas in June!

Letters to Layla

What what? 17 months? Excuse me? When did THAT happen.. And I know next month when you're officially 18 months aka 1 and a half, I'll be crying into my pillow.

It's a little ridiculous how much you've grown and the little lady you've become. I'm so thankful I get to spend every day with you. Both myself and Daddy are home 90% of the week and we can see how happy that makes you.

You're a chatter box. No, I'm not kidding when I say you don't shut up. You'll randomly be telling us this story in your own little language, then walk to the front door, blow us a kiss, wave, and say byebye. You think it's hilarious.

You have a pair of pink sandals that are pretty much on all day. We can expect a tantrum if we try and take them off. In the morning you literally go get them and sit to put them on with your pink bead necklace. Dad thinks you're going to be a fashion designer. You also have a love for textures and fabrics. You'll sit in my closet and just run my dresses against your cheek.

Dancing is still your favorite past time. We have dance parties and everyone at our weekly Mommy and Me thinks you're hilarious. You get into the middle of circle time and just dance and dance and dance.

Your vocabulary is growing: Mommy, Daddy, Teddy, Baby, Layla, byebye, hi. If dad and I are laughing and you're sitting near us you'll throw your head back and pretend to laugh like you know whats going on.

Sleeping thru the night and two and a half hour naps have become your thing. Took us a longgg time. You're still our bed, and while part of me cares.... Another enjoys when you snuggle into me at 3am after you had a bad dream.

You're turning into a little lady. It's amazing to watch. Coming up we have my birthday, Disney, and Mothers day all in one weekend! We're still searching for a house, but have a specific one in mind. Hopefully it'll go on the market before Sissy makes her appearance ;)

Why we eat organically

In the years that have passed that label has become my BFF.

If I had to look back, I'd say we started to 'convert' our kitchen when I was first diagnosed with Endometriosis. My mother read up on causes and natural ways to control pain and found that doctors believe(d) a leading cause of Endo is hormones found in meats & dairy. The more we read, the more it made sense, & the more we started to buy things that were deemed to be made naturally or organically. Wasn't easy to come across 8 or 9 years ago, whereas now we've got USDA Organic labels on the regular shelves at Target and local grocers.

There's a downside: eating organically is expensive. Like break the bank, take from my daughters college fund expensive. Forget shopping at Whole Foods because I'll tell ya right now three apples cost about $75 (Ok, I'm exaggerating... a little). These days, though, Target (aka MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD) has an amazing selection of yummy, budget friendly organic items. My heart literally skips a beat when we go grocery shopping there - I can get Layla organic apple juice (which she just started drinking at 16 months because I'm a nut and decided to be the Juice Nazi and say, "NO JUICE FOR YOU."), milk, yogurt, eggs... etc etc etc. We follow the Dirty Dozen rule, & generally buy the rest of our produce as conventionally grown.

Don't get me wrong, we're not die hard crunchy people over here. I'm not all must-eat-quinoa-for-every-meal crazy. Infact, I hate quinoa. There's a package of double stuffed Oreos, mini red velvet cupcakes, & potato bread in my pantry, & Friendlys ice cream in my freezer. Last week I was desperate for milk and Mr G had to buy a half gallon of conventional milk to last us till Publix opened the next day. Almond milk makes me gag (probably because I hate almonds), but Layla sucks it down like it's God's gift to this Earth. But... BUT, there are things I won't skimp on - organic meat is a must (but, again, I'll buy conventional in a pinch). Organic peanut butter is another, as well as canned tomatoes. & for the most part, we are very very strict with dairy and limiting overly processed foods in our home.

It takes some extra budgeting every week & maybe eating out less (c'mon even we like to go over to Chilis every now and then and eat until you have to roll us out. processed chicken and all), but local organic buying groups, farmers markets, & real butchers help our cause. It does mean that I usually have to hit four places to get my grocery shopping done on a Sunday, but I do it gladly to know that I'm feeding my child healthy food... Only to cook it and watch her promptly take two bites and throw the rest on the floor.

Oh, and I swear I'm not "that" mom, I don't really limit my kids TV watching (always said I would), she did eat a chocolate covered Peep for breakfast on Easter, & we eat mac & cheese (Annie's organic, yes - but it throws Kraft under.the.bus.. SO GOOD) at least once a week. & we just shared a homemade not-so-organic chocolate chip cookie at 11:30am on a Monday BEFORE lunch ::gasp!:: :)

Its just a name

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. - Shakespeare

Does a name matter? Does it define someone? Does it make a person who they are? Simple answer, no.

Shakespeare got it right. But, let's be honest: a parents first real job is to name their child. They seek out books and Google. They stress over origin and meaning. They'll ask themselves, "do we want a name staying true to our heritage, or will we just go with whatever feels right?"

Here's where it gets tricky, despite the fact that naming a child is purely the job of the parents, everyone will feel as if they have a say; and beware because they will get balls to the wall passionate about it. The name of your child becomes the center of attention, the topic at every dinner... Especially if you ask opinions (DON'T!), your kids name (or current lack their of) basically becomes the mother effin holy grail. Everyone wants in. Everyone wants to have a say, & in the process they forget who exactly is the one pushing this watermelon sized child out of her vajayjay (and actually gets the last say).

With all of that being said Mr G and I have decided on a name. We love it. Baby G actually picked it herself.. Sort of.. By doing flips when we brought the name up. For us the name feels right. The rest of my family hates it. Dilemma? Not really. Because while I value their opinion, I also know their objections are basically invalid. There's one thing about names: they will always have something about them. Weird spellings, bad nicknames, hard pronunciations. Just like everything else in life, there are pros and cons. Nothing is ever completely perfect. Until you attach that name to a tiny human being. Who has no flaws. Pure innocence and... When you say their name for the first time, it is perfect - as if it was made for them.

So maybe Shakespeare wasn't so right. Not that a name makes the person... But that the person makes the name.

19 & 20 weeks

I feel like I'm apologizing to myself for not blogging (even though I secretly {or not so secretly now?} feel like half the time I'm blogging/talking to myself. Either way, I promised I'd do this weekly (er, not so weekly) update since I didn't keep track with L and wish I would have. So here goes nothing, & I promise (albeit to myself) to blog more because I have lots to say! Including an update on Layla who is so beyond into toddlerhood I want to put a 'to infinity and beyond' sticker on her back when she runs after birds at the park growling like a monster.

How far along?: 20w3d

Total weight gain: This is SO hard for me to type: 14lbs. I was maybeup 10lbs with Layla at this point & my 20w belly was like my 28 week belly. It's amazing how your body remembers.

Maternity clothes?: Pants. I can still get away with the bellaband, but am mostly in my regular shirts. I don't really buy maternity clothes. I just went on a little shopping spree at Old Navy for some L (vs s/m) sizes.

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep: Same. Just getting up to pee.

Best moment this week: Feeling the roll and tumble. She's an active one.

Miss Anything?: This week?? Still my B cup boobies.

Movement: Tons! Starting to feel a bit on the outside too. Totally insane.

Food cravings: Tacos. Give me Chipotle. NOW.

Food aversions: Not really anymore.

Gender: GIRL! ALL GIRL! Two girls 22 months apart? I can't even. Dresses. Tutus. Bows. PINK. I die.

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: I still get morning sickness, especially if I go without eating over 2 hours.

Belly Button in or out?: In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Naming this peanut!

18 weeks

18 weeks will grace us on Monday. I can't believe it. Where is time going? Mr G and I are in the throws of naming this baby. Finding a house and living our life every Saturday at the beach. Blogging has taken a back seat, even though I have a list of topics to blog about. I'll get back on track at some point! In the mean time... Here's an update on baby G 2.0...

How far along?: 17w6d

Total weight gain: 9lbs and I'm pretty sure it's all in my boobs. I went from a B to a C and yesterday popped out of my C cups .. Break out the Ds!

Maternity clothes?: here and there. Bella band. Lots of dresses and tights. All normal shirts.

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep: not bad, but getting up 2-3 times to pee. Holy weak bladder.

Best moment this week: asking my older sister and brother in law to be baby's god parents. I'm so proud and honored. They are amazing to Layla and we truly could not ask for a better couple.

Miss Anything?: B cup boobies

Movement: It's feels like there's a fish in my belly!

Food cravings: nothing particular... But I'll say to myself.. Oh that sounds amazing and then have to have it!

Food aversions: Chicken sometimes.

Gender: we find out April 3rd!

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: 2nd tri honeymoon phase! Haha

Belly Button in or out?: In. It never popped with L.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Easter and Disney next month!

Bad guy.

As much as I'd LOVE to dump everything going on into one post, I'll refrain. Instead, I'm going to concentrate on the fact that my daughter only has eyes for her father. W. T. F.

Since Mr G has been working from home, Layla has been, dare I say... obnoxiously, attached to him. When I say attached I mean he cannot walk out of the room without Layla having a full on meltdown. Cute? Yeah, for maybe the first ten minutes. Now... obnoxious. Why? Because SHE WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME.

Let me set the scene:

Child in high chair for dinner. Dad sitting on opposite end of table. Child pointing to dad screaming, "DADDY" until child is let out of high chair (usually by dad) so she can sit on dad's lap. Why she wants nothing to do with me? Because I'm the one saying, "Get over it and eat your mushrooms." Cue bad guy status. Never thought THAT'D happen.

To make matters worse, Layla will walk into a room, point at me and say, "Daddy!" I'll tell her, "NO, I'm Mommy". To which she replies, "Daddy!" and then laughs. My 16 month old is mocking me, I'm pretty sure.

One day we'll look back on her antics and find them hilarious. Maybe.

Here and there

I'm totally behind on blogging. I haven't posted an L2L in awhile and that's no bueno because little lady is growing like a weed. However... It's been a rough two weeks. I'm ok, Layla's ok, Mr G and new baby are ok... My older sister, not so much.

We almost lost her to a massive infection after she punctured her ear drum. As of now she has lost hearing in that ear and is suffering from constant vertigo. It's amazing how one small moment, a snippet in time can change life. Layla seems to cheer her up, and how could she not? Little LG is a talking machine. We've been saying we'll never get a word in when she's around ;)

As of now Layla will be 16 months on the 17 and weighs 22lbs (50%). She's 30in (75-100% and which her pedi says is the average height for a 2 year old). New baby is 15w3d and popping out just a bit. My pants are definitely tighter!

There's been so much I want to blog about lately, too. Parenting revelations, March is Endometriosis awareness month, and things that simply make me giggle. It just hasn't been easy. I sit and realize what could've happened and decide to spend time with the little girl.

Tomorrow is a new day, though, and
L and I will bring Aunty N some yummy homemade red velvet cupcakes and hope that for just a little while she forgets what's going on ;)

14 weeks

And so begins the weekly updates. I didn't do this for Layla so I'm making it a point to do it this time around.

How far along?: 14w1d

Total weight gain: 3lbs

Maternity clothes?: using my bella band here and there but still in normal clothe with a bit of a "is she fat or pregnant?" pudge.

Stretch marks?: Nope!

Sleep: Up at least once to pee. I don't remember going this much so early with Layla!

Best moment this week: spending time with my sisters from NY ;)

Miss Anything?: Wine.....le sigh

Movement: Not yet, but I'm sure in the next few weeks I'll feel some flutters!

Food cravings: Everything?

Food aversions: Chicken sometimes.

Gender: doc thinks girl mommy instincts think boy. We'll see in the weeks to follow ;)

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Sleepiness. Back pain.

Belly Button in or out?: In. It never popped with L.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Going to NY to surprise my niece for her 16th bday!

Spoiled

Mr G's job allows him to work from home about 90% of the week. He has the various job out in the "field" maybe two days a week. He is usually home by 2. It's a spoiled life style honestly. We eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a family almost every day. It's a great environment for Layla, who in the last few months, had become so beyond attached to her father she cries at the door when he leaves. Me? I'm lucky if I get a kiss goodbye as she pushes me out the door.

Anyway, that leaves a lot of time during the week to do stuff. Like today, for instance. We declared it a weekday beach day - complete with burgers and milkshakes. Layla and Daddy played in the sand building castles while I took pictures and kicked my pregnant feet up (secretly hoping for awesome tan lines!). And in case you're wondering it was like 85* here today with the most delicious (yea, delicious) breeze. To say we had perfect beach weather would be an understatement. ...days like today revalidate why we love living here and keep us thankful we're able to live a vacation life style. Who else can get in the car and say, "Hmm, beach or Disney?" besides Floridians.

And so the day ended with amazing naps and now baths and dinner. Tomorrow Layla and I head back to the beach sans Mr G because he actually has to work! Hehe. Sucker.

Letters to Layla 15 months = epic/picture overload

Here goes me blabbing about everything that has been going on, or more like how much you've grown:

- You have five teeth now. Three on top and two on the bottom.
- I taught you how to flush the potty (because you were very interested in what was going on) & I sort of regret that... But I will admit it's hilarious and cute.
- You're walking running like a pro! & have more shoes than I do.
- Balloons = your weakness. You can spot one from four miles away and MUST have it.
- You're a ham for the camera.
- Music? Love love love. You hear it and dance. Red Hot Chili Peppers seem to be your favorite band, thanks to Daddy.
- Yo Gabba Gabba is your favorite show next to Mickey Mouse Club House.
- The beach, Disney, & Daddy's arms are your favorite places.
- You sleep 85% of the night (7pm-3am) in YOUR own bed! ROCK ON!

And ...










YOU'RE GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER! I know it's going to be a hard adjustment, but I promise in the years to come you and your sibling with be the best of friends. You'll always have each other no matter what and that makes me heart burt with joy and hope for the future. The new baby is due end of August and you'll be 22 months. It's sort of a little sooner then Mommy & Daddy wanted, but God had a different plan and blessed us AGAIN by surprise a few days before Christmas. It's amazing to think you'll be the oldest out of my 'children' and I know you'll be the best big sister.

Anyway, here are some fun pictures of what you've been up to, little lady!

On the tractor at the school house museum.

"What would you like for dinner?"

Puddin' face

Beach with cousin Sofia Belle

Beach bunny

Disney <3 & time to start the belly pictures! I lost quite a few lbs in the beginning because I was stuck-on-the-couch-sick for a probably close to 10 weeks. You can even see the weight loss between week 11 & 12.

10 weeks.

11 weeks.

12 weeks.

13 weeks @ Disney this past weekend.

I have belly pics from 8-10 but there really isn't much, so I think they're boring. Definitely can start to see the difference here! & excuse my PJs in every picture. I tend to remember to take them a night before or after LG gets a bath!

And.... Here's Baby G 2.0

p.s. if you know me on FB please don't say anything just yet!