Big Sister, Big News

When we were in Wildwood, we confirmed that we were expecting another baby. It was in our overall plan to have a second. I wanted to have a second before I turned 40 and if it didn't happen, we were pretty content with one. I don't know if I would have chosen this exact moment, but I'm getting used to the idea. Regardless, Little Miss is thrilled. I think she's a little unhappy with the fact that I can't carry her or rough house as much, but she is excited about the prospect of having a sister and is not 100% against the idea of a brother though the excitement level is much, much lower over that possibility. We told her early on before our families, and she was a pretty fantastic secret keeper.

I've felt ok, mostly blah.  I haven't felt poorly, just not that great.  The fatigue is fun and even more fun with a 6-year-old, but she's been great and so understanding.  It makes me glad I waited, and I know she'll be a big help even if she has moments of impatience or jealousy.  I'm starting to feel a little better so hopefully I can usher in the second trimester with a little less fatigue and crankiness.

So, in the almost 2 months since we found out about the news, we've seen the doctor many times. I spotted early on which led to an emergency doctor's visit at which point the doctor viewed nothing on the ultrasound which did freak me out a little bit. We went in for a proper ultrasound the following week which yielded a baby and a heartbeat which settled my nerves. Because I had gestational diabetes and was on insulin last time, I also had to take the education class again to monitor my blood throughout this pregnancy versus only in the last 8-10 weeks. This does not make me happy because I really love me carbs. The diet consists of 3 small meals and 3 snacks throughout the day and testing my blood sugar 4 times a day. I just remind myself that it was a great way to maintain a pretty awesome pregnancy weight despite my craving for carbs constantly. As with last time, my resting numbers are high (my morning results are consistently high). Hopefully, I don't end up on insulin again, but it wasn't so bad the last time.

This week is the test to see if we are at risk for any genetic anomalies though it looks like the test could yield a false negative or a false positive. Fantastic. This part is new for us because I'm old (or Advanced Maternal Age).  Anyway, if you're playing the home game, below is the information of the baby this week or you can click here:

Movies Watched in September 2013

1. Hotel Transylvania

It was kind of pathetic this month. I watched Hotel Transylvania on cable one afternoon. It was cute. I don't see any more movies in my October future, but who knows? I blame the return of Fall television.

Books Read in September 2013

1. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (NOTE:  This is part of The Passage trilogy.)
2. Sometimes a Rogue by Mary Jo Putney  (NOTE:  This is part of The Lost Lords series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Thankless in Death by Cherise SinclairJ.D. Robb (NOTE:  This is part of the In Death series - the order of which can be found here)
4. Always on My Mind by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl. (NOTE: This book is part of the Jackson series. The order of which can be found here.)

The Twelve is a monster of a book. I didn't think I'd get much more in, but I switched to romance and cranked out a few more. I needed something light to balance out The Twelve and Thankless In Death. Both were pretty bleak. Still, all the books were pretty solid.

Weekend Update - Busy Busy Bees

The last Saturday in September, Little Miss and I did a lot especially when you consider we had no nap at all.  We got up and got ready.  Little Miss rode her bike to Clarendon, down the road a bit.  She rode some rides and tried some Spanish chicken.  I had paella.  We ate a lot of junk food and then she did the jumpy castle.  Little Miss got lots of giveaways and ran into 4 friends from school.  Then, we walked home.  At home, we got ready quickly to go right back out - after a very quick nap.

Husband was out at a friend's house and came home to pick us up.  My parents were in Florida during their 40th wedding anniversary so we promised them a night out.  We took them to Bonefish which wasn't fine dining, but it was good and allowed us to bring the kids.  My parents were watching Nephew so he got to occupy Little Miss.  After, Little Miss had an impromptu sleepover with Nephew at my parents' house.  

On Sunday, I slept late and then drove out to pick up Little Miss.  It was a really fun weekend for all.  So fun, there are no pictures except for one on my phone of Little Miss housing mini donuts covered in powdered sugar.

Weekend Update - ARRRRRR!

We're playing a little catch up again. The third weekend in September, we found ourselves in Georgetown on a pirate ship! We went with a couple of other families including Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Nephew. Little Miss dressed in my old pirate costume which, sadly, wasn't that big on her. She played limbo, got her face painted, and got tattooed. After, most of us went to lunch and then we went home to nap. All that pillaging and plundering took a lot out of us!

We sadly didn't do much the next day at all. It was a pretty good weekend. Husband's friend and father came over for football, but we mostly just hung out, watched football and napped. Can't ask for more on a Sunday.

Weekend Update - Sleepover!

Last weekend, we watched Nephew overnight while Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law had plans. He arrived on Saturday morning. Husband and I took the kids to our indoor pool. Then, we served lunch at which point the kids were tuckered out so we all had a nap. They woke up an hour or so later, I believe, maybe longer (hard to tell when I was napping, too). Then, we went to the playground. We came home and had dinner. We did a bath and the kids went right to bed. There were some giggling from the bedroom which was adorable, but the kids went to bed quickly on their own.

On Sunday, the kids and I took a walk to get a bagel for Husband. We also hit up the bakery so I could spoil the kids a bit. They liked the time outdoors and were really good. They played when we got home until it was time for Nephew to go home.

After, Little Miss and I walked them out and went to our car to run errands. We hit Home Depot and Chipotle and the grocery store. I got talked into growing lettuce for the elementary school so we needed everything to grow lettuce. We bought a window box, dirt and a second pot to replant my basil that I had been killing for months. Then, I got hungry and snuck in some food before going to grab some food for lunches this week.

When we got home, Little Miss helped pour dirt into the pots and plant seeds. She watered and then asked where the plants were. She gets her patience from me. We should see sprouts in a couple of days. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't, but we're supposed to.

Weekend Update - Books, Friends and Family

The first week of September brought book club!  I met the book club at a restaurant where we actually discussed the book and ate a delicious dinner.  We took it easy during the day.  I think the first week of school took a lot out of us, and we were all a little on edge.

 On Sunday, we went to my Sister's house and hung out.  It was a glorious day, and the kids just wanted to stay inside and play.  So, we played Chutes and Ladders.  I lost by a lot.  Nephew won.  We snacked and then we convinced the kids to go to the playground.  They had a lot of fun.  After, Sister's boyfriend came and we all went to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream.  It was a nice way to cap off a weekend.

Movies Watched in August 2013

1. We're the Millers
2. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

It was a very light movie month.  Mostly because I binge-watched Breaking Bad until I caught up for the new season.  We're the Millers was in the theater, and it was worth it.  It was really funny and enjoyable.

Books Read in August 2013

1. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor Series. You can find the order in which to read it here.)
2. Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards  (NOTE:  This is part of the Recipe for Love series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Doms of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
4. Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson. (NOTE: This book is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Double Time by Olivia Cunning. (NOTE: This book is part of the Sinners on Tour series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Three Little Words by Susan Mallery. (NOTE: This book is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning. (NOTE: This book is part of the Sinners on Tour series. The order of which can be found here.)
9. Fool's Gold Cookbook by Susan Mallery. (NOTE: This book is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
10. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

It was a better month than I expected. Pretty decent books. I read the last two of the Sinners on Tour books out of order which irked me. I don't know if it made a difference in the long run though. The great part of Fool's Gold Cookbook is it is an actual cook book with a story between recipes. I would have liked more of the story, but the food looks pretty darned tasty.  The Fault in Our Stars is also not a good public read.  There was some public crying involved.

Kindergarten

We have a kindergartener. Seriously.  It is mind-blowing.  We were lucky, too, because she got a bonus year of preschool.  With a birthday in late Fall, she missed the cut off so she's one of the older Kindergarteners.  She had a new backpack from my parents, a new outfit from Target that she picked out all by herself and new sneakers that she picked out with Husband.  If you enlarge the picture, she said she wanted to be Spiderman when she grows up.  

The first week of school was a raving success.  She has a couple of fellow Kindergarteners at her bus stop and has many friends in her class and at extended day.  Everyday, she comes home full of stories about her new friends and all that she is learning.  It is so great that she loves school so much.

Weekend Update - September

I had trouble believing it was September already.  We got back from the beach with our mountain of laundry.  That Monday, there was one last school playdate.  Little Miss got to meet some of the kids in her homeroom and some other kids who would be in extended day with her.  I think it helped a lot once school started.  There were some familiar faces and close friends already.  We shut the playdate down and then I went back to nap.  The playdates take a lot of me!

Vacation Update - Wildwood

On Thursday, we hit Open House at the elementary school.  Little Miss got to meet her teacher and some other children.  She loved it and was so excited to start school.  She was almost disappointed that wasn't the first day of school and that we had to go on vacation.  She got over that quickly though.

The first day, we got a short time at the beach, but it was super windy.  It was still nice to be on the beach though!   It was windy the next day, too, but the sun was out so it wasn't too bad. 

 Friday night, we hit the Boardwalk because Little Miss loves the rides.  She rode on many before the fireworks - which were cancelled because of the wind.  It was still a lot of fun though.  Saturday was a quiet day just at the beach and then at the pool.  Sunday, we packed up and drove home - but not before we hit the Boardwalk one last time!  Little Miss got to ride the rides she missed the first time - including the Ferris Wheel, her favorite.  She also got to play a carnival game.  We ate lunch and bid farewell to the beach until next year.

Weekend Update - Rounding out August

The second to last weekend in August was really fun.  We had a mentor for the elementary school who had some neighbors who also had children entering kindergarten.  The four families got together for a playdate.  The boys and girls stayed pretty separated.  The girls didn't even play until the very end of the playdate.  During the playdate, we discovered that there was a school-wide playdate for existing families (and new families if they found out somehow).  So, Little Miss and I grabbed some lunch and then went back to the playground.  She played very closely with the little girl from the morning and met some new friends.  It was exhausting for all of us!

On Sunday, I met with my friends for pedicures, lunch and a movie.  It was a lot of fun.  Girl time is always very important and relaxing.  My pedicure lasted a long time, too.  I just recently took it off to repolish.

It was a short week as we went on vacation!

Weekend Update - 2 for 1 Deal

Because so little happened in the last two weekends, I'm smooshing them into one weekend update. 

Two weeks ago, we dropped Little Miss off with my parents, and my parents, Sister, Nephew and she went to Maine.  She had a great time with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin.  This year, friends of the family also went so the two cottages were given quite the work out.  Little Miss came back a total big girl.  She seemed taller, more confident (which is hard to believe) and just so chatty about the whole vacation.

In the meantime, I went to see matchbox twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls.  You can view the setlist here.  It was a great show, and I had a nice night out with my friend. 

Last weekend, I picked up Little Miss from my parents.  We drove into the city to drop something off with Husband and then went to Target for a first day of school outfit, Trader Joe's and the grocery store.  Little Miss was all tuckered out when we got home.  Sunday, we did very little.  We basically had brunch, took a family nap and then had dinner.

In the meantime, I've been trying to catch up on Breaking Bad.  I did watch 2 seasons in the last couple of weeks.  I hope to be caught up with season 5 for this Sunday.  It's been a challenge. 

Thank you, I guess?

Unexpected compliment:  I was getting dressed this morning, and Little Miss says she'll pick out my clothes.  "You should wear this.  You're underwear is already lovely so you need a dress." 

I ended up not wearing what she suggested because it needed ironing, but I told her I would wear it tomorrow.  In the meantime, my underwear is lovely. 

Kindergarten

This will not be the last post about the milestone we only utter in hushed tones.  Little Miss missed the cutoff to start kindergarten last year so we got to keep her a preschooler an extra year.  Unfortunately, we can't keep her from growing up yet. 

We really are impressed with her school.  She is excited about meeting new friends and taking the school bus.  We did a meet and greet for new parents last night while Little Miss got to color and play in the gym.  We all left the school very happy though we were a bit more overwhelmed than Little Miss.  It was very informative, and we're really happy that we get to go to the Open House in August.  We leave for vacation that day and, though it's not a big deal, I'm glad we get to attend.  It's in the morning so we'll just sneak in and out before heading out of town.  I think it'll be helpful for Little Miss to see her classroom and meet her teacher.

The end of summer (and the beginning of the word that shall not be named) will be here in the blink of an eye.  So many things to do - buy new sneakers, lunch box and first day of school outfit among other things.  It's going to be a fun year though.  I can feel it.

Ah, I See!

On Monday, Little Miss went to the eye doctor.  Husband started wearing glasses around the time he learned to walk.  I started wearing glasses in high school.  It is inevitable that Little Miss will.  Last year, she did not do well on the eye exam at the pediatrician's office so we went to the eye doctor.  The visit went well.  She said to come back in 6 months.

It turns out Little Miss's eyes improved very slightly.  So, she doesn't have to go back until next summer.  We did hear that she'll probably still need glasses within the next 2 years.  

The countdown has begun!

Weekend Update - The Play's the Thing!

Last weekend, we started with a bang!  When my summer hours started at work (3PM closings on Friday), Sister-in-Law, Nephew, Little Miss and I went to the waterpark.  The kids had so much fun that they both fell asleep on the way home.  

On Saturday, Little Miss spent the night with my parents while we met Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law and another couple in Georgetown.  We had drinks and a great dinner before walking over to The Kennedy Center to see The Book of Mormon.  After, we had some post-play cocktails before heading home.  

On Sunday, we went out to my parents' pool for the afternoon before heading home where we collapsed in exhaustion.  Good weekend indeed!

Movies Watched in July 2013

1. New Girl


2. The Heat


3. Orange is the New Black

Light month in terms of viewing pleasure, but we've been busy!  I started catching up The New Girl on Netflix and started Orange is the New Black.  I'm enjoying both.  I did squeeze in The Heat with friends though.

Books Read in July 2013

1. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor Series. You can find the order in which to read it here.)
2. Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards  (NOTE:  This is part of the Recipe for Love series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Doms of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
4. Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. Hawkeye One: Danger Zone by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Hawkeye Two: Bend Me Over by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Book Three: Make Me by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Hot Summer Nights by Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy, and Jessica Clare. (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series - the order of which can be found here and the Serendipity series - the order of which can be found here.
9. Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
10. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
11. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)

The Jill Shalvis one was a forgotten novella.  I caught up on that while waiting for her next release.  The rest were mostly quick erotica reads before a friend recommended the Enchanted, Inc. series which I've completely flew through.  I'm currently reading the fourth book and don't know what I'll do when I catch up!