18 Months

To document such a milestone as turning 1 1/2, I'd normally take a picture of Grace in front of her tree - comparing how much Grace and the tree have grown in the last six months...remembering back to that December day that changed our lives for the better.

But alas, her tree was destroyed over the winter by some a-hole thus no picture with the tree.  Though we've ordered a new one, it hasn't arrived yet. So Grace's half birthday went by unnoticed and undocumented. Almost. There was that pesky 18 month well child check up that could not be overlooked.

I am thankful to report that she is still doing well! Long and lean - just like her mom, dad, hmmm....well anyway, HALLELUJAH! She was 32 3/4" tall (81%), 23 lbs (31%) with a head size of 47.3 cm (72%). We did discuss with the doctor Grace's tendancy to ...mmmm...how shall I say...not follow our simple requests?!

Grace, don't pull the dog's tail!
Grace, don't throw your food on the floor!
Grace, do not climb up to the edge of the couch and then stand straight up on the edge like you are walking on a balance beam!
Grace - NO!

We were relieved to hear that this behavior is normal but also told by the doctor it was time to start timeouts!

Now, when Grace decides to pull Lindey's tail, guess where she goes? Timeout! In her crib! As per the instructions of the doctor. So far we've had pretty good success. Instead of me saying NO a thousand times, it allows both Grace and I to redirect our thoughts, energy, and focus. So far, so good! Lindey and Lucky are very grateful for the timeouts. Their tails thank me!

The doctor also told us to expect some regression with Grace when #2 arrives. While I was expecting this, the doctor explained it in very explicit terms. "Bringing home a new baby is as tramatic for the older sibling as if your husband brought home another woman."

Ahhhh come again.

"Bringing home a new baby is as tramatic for the older sibling as if your husband brought home another woman."

I was speechless. Seems a little extreme to me but the doctor has had a lot more experience with kiddos than I have so I guess we'll take his word for it. If Grace has any jealousy streaks like I am capable of, this could be ugly - REALLY ugly.

With that bit of "good" news, the doctor left the room and the vaccinations ensued. Watching your child writhe in pain when they don't understand why you are pinning them down in order for some stranger to inflict the painful shots is heart wrenching. It just doesn't get any easier. The whole time in the appointment, I kept thinking to myself, how am I going to juggle two children at the same time during these appointments?!? In that same vein, how am I going to juggle two children - period?!

Grace's First Swim Lesson

Even though mother nature hasn't gotten the memo that it is in fact summer (ok technically summer starts next week but you know what I mean) and "she" should not only warm up the weather- "she" should MAKE IT STOP RAINING! - Grace and I forged ahead with Grace's first swim lesson!

Lucky for you favorite readers, Grandma was in town helping John Andrew move into his new apartment so we had a photographer documenting the entire lesson. You are thrilled - I know!

It was a bit chilly that morning. The sun was out teasing us and all the Moms milled about nervously before the lesson started.

Grace sizing up the competition. She was very quiet before the lesson. She wasn't talking, she wasn't jumping, she wasn't smiling. Truth be told - I was nervous. Was she going to be the kid who was going to scream her head off and hate the water?

Again, she proved that all my worrying was for nothing...

She LOVED it!

She was splashing up a storm before our teacher even got the group started.

After singing Ring Around the Rosie and getting used to the water (it was heated - THANK GOD!) it was time to grab the balls and throw them in the hoop!

Next, it was time to learn how to paddle. We each grabbed a toy and threw it out in front of the child. While holding the child under our arm like a sack of potatoes, we encouraged our kiddo to paddle after the toy.

Grace loved this game.

She even put her face in several times in order to reach her little dolphin toys.

Being pregnant in a swim suit was interesting. While I had a legitimate excuse for all my "lady bumps and humps", there were quite a few pictures of me (particularly from the back side) where it looked like two people had squueezed into my one swim suit. NOT GOOD! Obviously, those pictures are NOT posted here and have been deleted from existence.

Then came time for going under the water.

She was a trooper! Once the weather warms up, she will definitely be our little fish.

Who's Counting?

We are now in double digits folks. Ninety-nine days til #2 arrives! Not a moment too soon apparently. I've had two people in the last week ask if I was due "soon". When I said "yes, in September" their jaws dropped. I guess by "soon" they meant tomorrow - next week at the ABSOLUTE latest.

I think I am the last person on earth who actually looks pregnant when they are pregnant.

Before and After

It's Friday night. So what? That doesn't mean anything...to those of us with small children.

Before having kids, I would be getting all dolled up - ready for a night out on the town.

Tonight, I am waiting for Grace to stop bouncing and crying in her crib so I can hit the hay.

Before having kids, I would likely go to a delicious restaurant, wear something cute and trendy and burn off a little steam with friends at a bar.

Tonight, I ate two slices of Safeway pizza, I barely brushed my hair and I'm definitely not burning off any steam over a few cocktails.

Before having kids, I would have stayed out real late knowing I could sleep until noon tomorrow.

Tonight, I'll be in bed before the sun sets and awake before it rises tomorrow.

Before having kids, I would drink a few too many tonight, feel tired, cranky and nauseous all day tomorrow, then eat some kind of greasy food to kick the hangover and pray that I wasn't pregnant.

Tonight, I'll definitely hit up the sauce - chocolate sauce for my sundae that is - and even though I will go to bed ridiculously early, I will toss and turn all night (because why would God ever let a pregnant woman sleep) so that tomorrow I'll feel tired, cranky and nauseous where I will be "required" to eat large quantities of greasy food and you know what the the ironic thing is, I will be so happy and thankful that I am pregnant!

God what has happened to me?!

There's Nothing Funny about Being Pregnant

I've come to realize that this blog has recently tipped the scales...the B-O-R-I-N-G scales that is!! No good stories. No good laughs. No rehash of my latest parenting/life catastrophe.

I apologize.

It's not because I'm not trying. It's not that I don't wrack my brain every day and ask myself if this particular tidbit or that particular tidbit of my day is "blogworthy." The fact is there is nothing funny (or fun for that matter) about being pregnant. And because I'm pregnant (read as tired, miserable, uncomfortable, not sleeping well and still dealing with morning sickness) I have nothing to write about.

When I feel better, you'll be the first to laugh. I promise.

She's a kid!!

Just a week shy of turning 18 months old, look who is all grown up? 

Her first nap in a big girl bed - TODAY!

I can't believe it.  

Heartbreaking and momentous all wrapped into one. 

Buckethead

Ahhh...what do we have here?

Looks like a bucket...Mom says it's a bucket...

...but I swear it's a hat.

It is SOOOO much more fun using it as a hat.