Blogmas 2017 - Vol. 12

6 Months With Little Buddy

I can't believe that it's already been 6 months since this little one made his way into this world. (His birth story is coming still I promise.)

Little Buddy is the snuggliest, smiliest kid I ever did see.  He is 20lbs of chunky love. Tomorrow is his 6mo appointment, and I can't wait to see his stats - he's just a big ol' squish.

His favorite things as of late are:
-putting everything in his mouth
-putting everything in his mouth
and oh yeah
-putting everything in his mouth ;)

Jk, but that is probably top of the list.

Favorites
-chomping on all the things
-mama milk - and a lot of it
-the exersaucer
-tv, kid will CRANK his head around to see a screen if he can
-his sister
-his moms
-his friends at daycare (they LOVE baby "donah")
-trying to grab the dog
-rolling like a rolly polly

Dislikes
-rice cereal...just does not seem to care
-the fact that he can not crawl yet
-being left alone for too long
-being made to wait for the mama milk
-seriously...that's it, and I had to really think for those.

Generally little buddy is a super mellow guy.  He has the best laugh - and he shares it frequently.  He sleeps a full night and still takes 2-3naps a day. He does wonderfully at daycare and is loved within an inch of his life.  He can't quite sit up yet - but he's definitely trying (his head is so big!)  He loves trying to eat his feet but his big belly sometimes gets in the way. 

We're so lucky you decided to join our family!  We love you little buddy!

Blogmas 2017 - Vol 11

Santa's Whistle Stop Adventure

On Saturday we had a seriously magical afternoon!  It was a reminder of how joyful and wondrous the little things can be through the eyes of a child. 

We found a small town train-let (ie tiny train) that you ride for a like a good 4mins into a cute little place where they had small crafts, cookies, cider and a cute little santa. The beauty of the hokey small town-ness was that we waited for nothing.  We jumped on the sweet train, got right where we were going, and Mr. Clause was  immediately available. It was just the right amount for a 3yr old attention span!

We were lucky to have SP's parents (Mammu and Grandpa) join us!  Little girl LOVED all the sweets and snuggles.  And tolerated sitting next to Santa.  There was not a chance in you know what that she was going to actually sit ON his lap though - maybe next year.

Getting her candy cane...Yes You Can say BRIBE

Somebody else was just fine w/Old St. Nick!

After Santa time and a major sugar high we headed to dinner to celebrate Mammu's birthday!  It was nice and early (like 4:30) and it was perfect.  No rush, no stress, no muss no fuss.

Just a wonderful day.  Life is beautiful ya'll!

Happy Christmas!

Blogmas 2017 - Vol 10

On Forgetfulness...

Well, It really wouldn't be me if I didn't miss one day of blogging.  And honestly it was for no other reason except that I forgot...Because seriously my brain these days!

I've heard the term Mommy brain but I guess I didn't realize that it was just a little joke.  I definitely had pregnancy brain - and it seems to have carried over...

Maybe it's really just tired brain?  Because with a million things going on on a regular basis and the fact that my body has for some reason decided 4am is the appropriate wake up time - it's not just my brain that's tired these days.

So cheers to my brain... 

And the coffee that sustains it...

XO
Sarah

Blogmas 2017 - Vol. 9

For My Light

Dear SP,

This life...I think we can agree that it is C to the razy!  But how lucky am I to have found my most perfect co-pilot?!  We drive each other totally bonkers in the best way possible.  You know just how to make me laugh (Whatever whatever).  You know just how to push my buttons (click those nails one more time...)  You know just how to lift me up, how to make me feel beautiful, and how to calm down my anxiety.

It feels like our lives have been on speed the last 8 years.  Graduations, babies, houses, weddings, babies, dogs, apartments, travel.  I know that sometimes it feels like we don't have a moment to breathe.  And sometimes I know we put ourselves and our marriage at the absolute bottom of the list.  But thank you for running every race with me and climbing every mountain.  For celebrating every moment and every victory.  And for hanging on and fighting and fighting and fighting.

I know that it's going to be another banner year - because apparently this really IS just how life is.  But I couldn't ask for a better partner, cheerleader, and friend to travel this twisty road with.

I love you my darlin.  Forever and always and all ways!

XOXO
Muffin Pants

Blogmas 2017 - Vol. 8

Funsie Fridays!

On Fridays I work at home with the babes. I'm so incredibly grateful my job has allowed me this opportunity. I'm so incredibly lucky to have the time - and I don't have other childcare so yeah.

Fridays are some of my favorite and craziest days! 

It is the most intense and concentrated 9-10hrs. And yes I know stay at home moms do it all the time. But they aren't trying to jam in work and a weeks worth of chores along with childcare so I'd argue it's not quite the same... 

Don't get me wrong I'm super grateful. I'm usually just a bag of tired bones by the time SP walks through the door. Often I'm still in sweats with some kind of baby goo on me. On a good day nobody is crying. On a bad day everybody is crying...including me ;)

Today was a great day!

Home Office Helpers ;)

Blogmas 2017 - Vol.7

On Mommy (Parent) Guilt

Mom guilt is so real life ya'll.  And I feel like when we added little boy to the party it only amplified.  I mean everything amplified because I had a serious case of Postpartum Anxiety (another story for another time).  But now that the proverbial dust has settled the mommy guilt has also settled in hard core.

I love spending time with my kids.  But sometimes they make me crazy. And sometimes I have less than stellar parenting moments because of it.  And then when I get a short break from them I feel bad for leaving them with others.  Or I feel bad for spending any time on myself.  Because there is ALWAYS something else that could be getting done. Laundry, meal prep, cleaning.  ANd for somebody who is pretty self proclaimed type A - the chaos is pretty rough on top of all the guilty feelings.

And then there is the whole working parent thing.  And/or 2 working parent things. And what that means societally, personally etc.  I personally really enjoy my job and I really enjoy spending time with adults. But I also really miss my kids.  But when I'm home with them alone several days in a row I can't WAIT to get back to work where I get to pee by myself and use my brain in a very different way.  And then I feel bad about that. 

I don't know where I'm going with all of this except to say that you mommies and daddies and babas etc out there who are feeling this crushing sense of "I can never give enough in any area of my life" I see you, I feel you, I'm living it. And/or if any of you out there have any strategies for minimizing the guilt - I'd love to hear them.

Because look at these beautiful faces...

...they deserve my best me, and I'm pretty sure the me that feels guilty all the time isn't my best.

Be Brave!

Blogmas 2017 - Vol 6

When you are fertility challenged (we don't like the term infertile) sometimes when you get pregnant it's hard to enjoy it at the beginning.  Sometimes you spend a lot of time being afraid that the other shoe will drop and the dream will go out the window. So there are a lot of things I didn't put out into the world when I was pregnant - but I really want to remember them.  So sorry for all the travels back in time that are coming...

11/21/16

How far along? 11 weeks

How big is baby? Lime

Total weight gain/loss: Up from IVF meds, down since pregnancy; I'm not weighing myself at all honestly.

Maternity clothes? Starting the belly bands/ my pants are a little too small but the maternity pants are a little too bit - its a weird place.

Sleep: I've always been a crappy sleeper. Still true. Peeing at least once in the middle of the night.  And my back side is still pretty sore from IVF injections (that end next week!!!)

Best moment this week: Seeing baby pineapple looking big and like a real gummy bear baby!

Movement: Don't think so - Gas ;)

Food cravings: Ugh nothing, feeling crappy again.  The morning sickness got better around 9wks and now I just feel off all the time again. I eat a lot of toast and pretzels and grilled cheese sandwhiches.

Food Aversions: Eggs and most meat. And a lot of everything else depending on the moment.

Gender: Pretty sure we aren't finding out the SEX until the little thing comes out. I'm guessing we won't find out the gender until they are in their teens ;)

Pregnancy Symptoms:  Morning/ all day sickness. Bloaty/gassy (i'm so cute right now) Headaches on and off. Super tired!

What I miss: Definitely the occasional cocktail. And sushi.  And weirdly I've been wanting salami like crazy lately!

What I am looking forward to: Making it to the 2nd trimester. And finish progesterone in oil shots - because my backside is a war zone!

Upcoming appointments/events: Ultrasound screening appt next week and then midwife appt shortly after.

Milestones: Approaching the end of the first trimester!  Can't believe it!

I think this was actually 6 or 8 wks

There's a baby in there!