We are having a...

So today was the day I’ve been waiting for since the double pink line showed up on the pregnancy test. The special ultrasound you can have after 18 weeks to say it’s a girl or a boy. Of course there are the strange people (in my opinion) who prefer to wait till birth to find out the sex. They want to be surprised. I’m not one of them. I was surprised when I found out we were expecting again so soon. I will be surprised when I push the baby out and we meet for the first time to say hello. It is sort of like being given a pretty blue box from Tiffany’s (a favorite of mine) in March then told you can’t open till Christmas. So, you are just suppose to stare at the box till December wondering what’s inside. No, thank you.

We wanted to make the announcement special, and not find out in the exam room. This time around, instead of having tiny boy, or girl shoes, placed into a box, we bought two cute onesies. Finally the time came to find a location to sit and reveal the answer.

With Olivia, we waited till dinner. Alex and I went to a small Italian restaurant, with soft music, and intimate lighting. It really was a sweet experience. However, this time around, not so lucky. Living in MD means no longer having a selection of restaurants or cafes to choose from (at least none I’ve found or know of at 10:30AM). I started crying after we drove around for 30 minutes, “I can’t believe there is nowhere nice to eat”. The alternative idea, of taking Olivia into her playroom, and having the three of us open the box, was sounding pretty good. But 15 miles away from wherever we were, was a Panera Bread. Yup, thats right, our only cafe/bakery/decent restaurant option is a chain.

We quickly walked in, found a seat and turned the camera on. I had a quick second to fix my hair and ask if I looked ok. Finally I placed the white box next to me, reached inside and pulled out a...pink onesie. “It’s a GIRL”, so exciting! I could not believe it. We are going to have another little lady in our house.

I know it doesn’t matter if it was a boy, or a girl, but secretly we were smiling with relief . Maybe we’ve become comfortable with already having a girl so it’s familiar to us. Plus, the idea of spending weekends watching baseball or football games scared me.

Wow, a new baby girl. We have been so blessed with Olivia and her happy demeanor. It will be interesting to see how alike, or how different, the sisters will become. As for picking out a name...I still have four and a half months to go.

My Guilty Time Waster

Over the past few nights I’ve realized I have a silly useless guilty pleasure, making online shopping baskets. No, not online shopping but adding items to a basket pretending I’m going to click purchase.

This sounds innocent enough no one gets hurt and no real money is used. It’s a “win win” situation. After I buy the latest People Style watch, I circle all the items that I should own, then find them online for a closer look. I get to browse Piperlime and view all of Rachel Zoe’s must haves. When I receive online sale notices from Gap, Loft, Nordstrom and J Crew I know I am really saving money. The shopping basket I’m creating is a bargain. Another good part is, I can close the laptop and leave my items setting in the basket for days. Taking my time to think about my needs. Stores only let you hold items for 24 hours. More time means the chance to search more sites and compare shop. I am really becoming the savvy shopper if I do say so myself.

Being a mom really cuts into time spent browsing at the mall. Some people get a nice 25 minutes before the kid starts squirming in their stroller and items start flying out. Unless a diaper needs to be changed you can forget about dressing rooms. Make sure the store has a good return policy. When a “free shipping” notice pops up on my email it’s like holding a cup of juice in front of my daughter, I’m on it. Free shipping takes away any guilt I might be feeling. I didn’t have to waste gas driving to the store and now I don’t have to pay extra for delivery.

There are some sites I purchase from on a regular basis, Diapers.com, Soap.com and Amazon. However, these are go-to sites for Olivia, when I don’t see visiting Target in my near future. Not to be a complete weirdo, I do occasionally buy for myself online, shoes, a handbag, or any other item that keeps calling my name. I just try to be cautious. You can take the shopper out of the store, but you can’t take the shopping away from the shopper.

Baby #2 On Board

My husband and I had been discussing the idea of having a second child. He was all for sooner than later. I was thinking what does sooner mean? Once again whenever you start to think “WE” actually make our own plans, the Lord reminds us his plan is better.

Sometime around Olivia’s first birthday in November a baby was conceived. So my body was ready but my mind was far from it. I have had some time to think about the reasons I didn’t feel pure excitement once I found out we were expecting (alcohol may be one or two of them).

I was really starting to enjoy my daily happy hour with me, myself & I. The three people I can always count on to partake in a little wine time. HH usually started around O’s bedtime between 7 & 7:30. Unfortunately, wine was my writing motivator. After one glass the ideas would start to flow on to my laptop. Is that bad? I guess that’s why I have been slacking off in the writing department. On the up side, we are not spending money on bottles of wine anymore.

The second reason is Sushi. I love Sushi. For my birthday in November, we went to this yummy sushi restaurant. I was so excited to finally find a good place here in MD and was looking forward to many returns. Yes, I know pregnant woman can eat cooked sushi but it’s so not the same, and what about the sake? So sad.

The weather was definitely becoming cooler and I was loving my new Nike running gear. Cute cold weather outfit, perfect for running when it is 40 degrees outside and not to mention it fit so nicely. I was looking good on the run. It will now be awhile before I can squeeze myself into those pants again.

Olivia has a pretty good sleep schedule. She takes at least two naps a day and goes to bed at night without any problems. Say goodnight by 7:30 and hello at 6:30AM. Good sleep means good days for mama. Newborns have to eat every 3-4 hours..seriously. Bye bye sleepy time.

When I finally decided to use the pregnancy test my sweet husband bought me. I really did not want to look at the results. When you know, you know, and I knew. My period was six days late so I knew what that meant. Time to end all holiday drinking and the holidays were just starting. Not fair. Crazy that makes TWO holiday seasons in a row with no ‘medicine’. I miss my wine.

Of course my other thought was, “What about my little lady Olivia”. We are now at the fun personality stage and it’s getting easier to hang out together. Strolling around the mall and sitting down for lunch is somewhat enjoyable. All my attention and energy goes to her. Will the new baby receive less from me? I have always thought of myself as a little grinch. When Olivia was born my heart grew “3 sizes that day”. So I wonder can it really grow more?

Yes, there are bound to be a ton of silly selfish thoughts when you find out your life’s going to drastically change, again. I’m sure just like the first time, the results are priceless. To be blessed with another amazing child is worth missing drinking time any day.

I am not a "Super Mom"

It’s true but I’m starting to realize that becoming “Super Mom” is not in the cards for me. Before I had Olivia I sometimes wondered if I could make the “Super Mom” team. How awesome I would be. Other woman would think, “wow, how does she do it all.”

Maybe there is a “Super Mom” handbook with a list of guidelines to follow. The book chapters may be something like this...

1. Wake up in a positive mood everyday
2. Stay organized without any help
3. Get showered & dressed everyday (before noon)
4. Give 110% to your children.
5. Schedule the week full of activities
6. Make sure your child’s daily menu includes all the food groups
7. Keep television off limits until age two
8. Always fit in personal “Me Time” (hobbies, reading, exercise or home business

The list above is why I will never make the “Super Mom” team and I’m ok with that.

1. I get up at 6:15 everyday because my kid does and I’m not happy about it
2. I’m halfway organized. Items may not be in their place but I know where to find them.
3. Does taking a shower by 6pm count? Does staying in exercise gear count as getting dressed? At least I’m out of my pj’s.
4. My daughter gets 100% and the other 10% is used playing on my phone
5. We go to Stroller Strides, Gymboree, and the mall every week
6. If veggie sticks, blueberry Eggos, and pasta can be eaten everyday then we are good.
7. I try to limit television watching but sometimes Elmo & Barney appear when I need an immediate sitter for 20 minutes.
8. “Me time”...what’s that? Hobbies- does flipping through US magazine count? Reading- Is great if I can stay awake for more than three pages. Exercise- that’s what SS is for and the step machine collecting dust in my room. Home business- I run my own day care for one child.

So, maybe I am a little jealous of those “do it all moms”. Good thing I will now be a mom forever so I can keep trying out for the “Super Mom” team. There is always going to be next season.