Cabin Fever: Blizzard 2011

"Andrew, give me the scissors, put your pants on, and clean up all that hair." Add that phrase to the list of things that I never thought I would say. Well, here's how it happened.

February 2011 turned out to be record-breaking in snow fall, temperatures, and days missed from school. For a girl on maternity leave, all of these things equal cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching. While others looked outside at the snow and ice and saw white, I saw green. For each day that the school was closed, I earned a "free" day of maternity leave. I never thought I would work so hard to earn a "free" day until I was locked in the house with a 3 year old boy and a newborn.

Day 1: Hello snow day! Chris has to go to work, so he dug his car off and headed out into the great white wonder. See you later, sucker. I'm all cozy inside and enjoying a fun movie day with my two little angels. We popped those movies in one after another, took a nice long nap, and then popped in some more. We all had a great day. Yay for a snow day!

Day 2: What's this? More snow and ice? Why thank you, and I will take that extra "free" day. My son knew the routine from the previous day, so he wanted to pop in movie #1, which was actually movie #1 from day 1. I said no way, Jose. I stupidly asked him to pick another movie, so he picked #2 from day 1. Noticing a pattern, I put all the unwatched movies on the TV stand and told him to pick from those. He did, and we navigating through the day with breaks between movies for crafts, naps, and baking.

Here's where the trouble started. Mommy and Andrew decided to bake some oatmeal raisin bars. Andrew had fun until about minute 3 when he realized you can't eat them for a long time. I let him go back to his crafting and movie watching. A few minutes later, I pour the batter in the pan, and I catch something strange out of the corner of my eye: naked toddler toosh. Uh-oh.

As I approach the scene, here's what I see. The living room looks like someone smashed a pinata of confetti, crumbs, and hair. Apparently, Andrew took a potty break (good), left his pants off afterward (well), and decided that he wanted to practicing cutting shapes (oh, no). After 3,000 tiny triangles, he got bored and gave his golden locks a trim, too.

So, I calmly say "Andrew, give me the scissors, put your pants on, and clean up all that hair." I tried to show him the damage to his 'do in the mirror, but he's three and a boy. He didn't care. His response, "Are the cookies ready?"

Day 3: I don't know if I can do this anymore. I need to go for a walk, run around, or see someone else other than my sleepy infant and stir crazy toddler. Enter the Clarkes. They came like angels with a peppermint mocha and their children to play with my son. Day 3 went by super fast. Yay, Clarkes.

Day 4: Things outside started to melt a little, so Andrew went outside. I didn't care that it was 15 degrees, and Andrew didn't either. He just needed to be out. So, I poured a bunch of salt on the porch, and out he went. I watched from the door.

Once the blizzard of 2011 ran its course, we were no worse for the wear. Sure, we were short several sheets of construction papers, a few locks of hair, and an entire tray of oatmeal bars, but I got plenty of quality time with my babies!

Oh yeah! Caroline also got to "play" in the snow for the first time. Andrew made snowballs, and Caroline "made" snow angels. Let's go with that. At least she was warm. Warm? Yes. Happy? Not so much. Did I mention I was mother of the year?

:)

Anne

So much for subtlety

I have reached another parenting or mothering milestone. I have now nursed in public. Wee! Well, I wish it went that well. Here's how the beautiful moment actually went down:

We arrived at Andrew's best friend's birthday party, which was held at an indoor soccer facility. Yum.) There were games being played and watched all around me. The hostess of the party, a fellow nursing mom, said I could sit at the party picnic table and nurse.

All the party people were either playing or watching their kids, so I could nurse subtly. I would alone-ish. I can do this. Cue the deep breath and positive self talk reminding myself that I have every right to do this, it's normal, beautiful, blah blah blah.

I get the baby out of the car carrier sitting on one bench of the picnic table and I sit on the udder side (Get it? Ha.) Anyway, I cover myself with my Hooter Hider, pop out the boob, and attempt to latch the baby.

Here's where the fun begins. The soccer ball slams against the nearest goal, so Caroline jerks her right arm, which pulls up the Hooter Hider. AHHH. I pull back in response subsequently shaking the picnic table, which knocks the car carrier to the floor. The loud crash of the car carrier causes all the soccer moms around me gasp and turn thinking that my sweet baby was left unattended and is now face down on the concrete floor.

With every pair of eyes looking at me and realizing that I have all kinds of boob action happening, I shrug and gingerly point to my covered baby. With several awkward nods, they return to game watching, and I pretend to be totally cool with the whole situation.

So much for subtlety.


Oh, well. Yay, boobs. And, yes, it's really called a Hooter Hider.


:)
Anne

Unanswered Questions

From countless people, I had the same questions over and over about being pregnant for the second time and with a girl this time. I thought I would break it down for my friends and for future reference for my sweet Caroline (hoping that she gets to experience it someday).

With Andrew: I was pregnant all over, and I didn't get that round pregnant belly until the last few weeks. I got sick many mornings right after breakfast, but then I felt fine all day long. I nibbled my way through the day, and that kept me from sleeping at my desk or getting sick again. I first felt Andrew's fluttery movements around 21 weeks, and a few weeks later, I began to have Braxton Hicks contractions that continued regularly throughout the pregnancy. I didn't wear maternity clothes until about 6 months, but I could still wear regular shirts until the very end. My belly didn't have that round pregnant look until the last few weeks. I ran until I was 5 months pregnant, and then we walked regularly up to (and including) the day my water broke. At 39 weeks and 5 days, I labored (unsuccessfully) all night and then had a C-section. Andrew was delivered at 9:11am. He took a few seconds to cry, and he weighed 7 pounds & 13 ounces. The recovery was extremely painful and walking took a lot of effort and time. Eventually, I was back to walking an hour a day with Andrew in the stroller.

With Caroline: I was pregnant out front (mostly). I immediately had a poochy tummy and bigger boobs, which my doctor attributed to the "estrogen dump" when the baby's sex was assigned to female at 10 weeks. With that sudden growth spurt, I was thrust into maternity clothes right then. I was nauseous ALL the time and nothing seemed to help; however, I never once actually got sick. Around 15 weeks, the sickness stopped, and I started to feel Caroline's flutters. She never stopped. She moved often and with a good amount of force. I had Braxton Hicks from about 22 weeks until the end. I ran until I was 6 months and then I didn't exercise very much at all. My pelvis was sore most days, so we only walked a couple times a week (followed by serious heating pad usage). My maternity shirts BARELY fit over my belly by the end because it was all out in front. At 39 weeks and 1 day, I arrived at the hospital 2 hours before my scheduled C-section, and the doctors delivered Caroline safely at 8:54 am. She weighed 7 pounds & 1 ounce and screamed the second she was out. The recovery has been a great deal easier, and walking (although very slow) feels pretty good.

With Both Babies: I followed my gut and my cravings and tried not to stress about the weight I gained. Both babies needed lots of ice cream, candy, and chocolate. I enjoyed a few sips of wine here and there, napped as often as possible, and went to bed very early. I packed on exactly 30 pounds with each baby; however, the weight looked and felt very different. Both pregnancies yielded beautiful healthy babies. :) You can see the final belly shots for each baby. For Andrew's pictures, I wore blue shorts and with Caroline I wore red. Caroline seems to poke straight out!

:)

Anne

Just a few weeks ago...

Just a few weeks ago...

• Andrew's hand was tiny in mine.


• Andrew was so young.


• Andrew needed me for everything.


• Andrew was my baby.

Around 9:45 on December 8th. the nurse handed me Caroline.

• Caroline's hand is tiny in mine. Suddenly, Andrew became enormous.


• Caroline is so young. Andrew is a big boy.


• Caroline needs me for everything. Andrew seems so independent.


• Caroline and Andrew are both my babies.

A few weeks ago I worried about so many things. Now I have my two beautiful, healthy, loving, needy, tiny, babies... and I couldn't be happier.

Welcome to life with children, or as Uncle Jason told Andrew upon his arrival to the big, bright world a few years ago, "Welcome to the Jungle."

:)

Anne

Andrew's Last Hurrah

For Andrew's last weekend as an only child, we decided to hit of few hot spots. To start the weekend, we ate at Andrew's favorite restaurant, Amigo's, where he dined liked a King. He feasted on their finest offerings of beans, rice, chips, and ice cold lemonade. While there, he blessed the bathroom with one final poo, and announced to all the restaurant goers and servers what a wonderful job he had just done. Although I sat there looking embarrassed, everyone else seemed to be genuinely happy for him. He may have even had a high five from a stranger.

On Saturday, we packed up our snacks and our shades and headed to the best place on earth, the zoo. Andrew had been begging to take Daddy to the zoo since our last trip. He even snuck the request into our nightly prayers. We decided what better time to walk several miles than with a toddler and someone whose 9 months pregnant. :)

Chris gave me my birthday/happy Caroline present early (a Flip Video camera), so we were able to document our fun in a whole new way! (Unfortunately, I don't know how to upload the new videos... ) We passed the penguins and the baboons on the way to the gorilla enclosure, and we stopped for a few Andrew and Daddy photo ops.

When we reached the gorilla (or Gradilla as Andrew says), we realized very quickly that he wanted nothing to do with us. Andrew said the Gradilla was too sad, and I tend to agree.

Next up, we had some of the coolest experiences in the Giants of the Savannah exhibit. Many of the animals share a large open space and interact with each other freely. With free roaming animals, we were bound to catch some gold.

The best part of the whole day had to be feeding the giraffes. Andrew and Daddy got to share some delicious leaves with some super tall friends.

We had fun the rest of the morning at the zoo seeing the big cats, amphibians, and reptiles. Then we headed home for a much needed nap. Make sure you pay close attention to the slide show... we got to see some serious tortoise-on-tortoise action. Full-throttle. I was a good girl, so I didn't take a video. (That would verge on tortoise porn, and I think they deserve some dignity.)

After our lunches and naps, we bundled up and headed to Santa's village. Last year, we waited in line forever for Santa and then had to "persuade" Andrew to sit on his lap. (Last year's picture is first, and bless the sweet elf who caught the millisecond that Andrew sat on Santa's lap.)

This year, we arrived early to check out all of the elves' huts and wait for Santa's arrival. We came prepared for the line with snacks and a lawn chair for me, super preggers.

He is another slide show showing all the fun "shops" we visited while waiting for Santa.

After exploring Santa's village, Santa finally arrived by fire engine, and the mayor officially opened Santa's Village by turning on the Christmas tree and all the lights. Here's Andrew after eagerly waiting to see Santa. We needed no persuasion this year.

What did he ask for? He wants a mower and a weed eater. I hope Santa was listening... I guess we will find out soon enough! Last year, he asked Santa for a baby "sisser", and we all know how that turned out. Andrew must be a really good boy.

:)

Anne

The Stats

I have...

• a waist that is 38 inches around.



• gained 27 pounds.



• only 20 days left of work.



• at least 15 things to do on my "Before Caroline Comes" list.



• 5 weeks till my delivery date.



• 3 doctor's appointments.



• a 2 year old who is very ready to be a big brother.



• 1 dog who has packed herself in my hospital bag.

Did Lady do this in protest of the new baby or in an effort to go with me? Either way, I think I need to put the bag in a safer place. Let the countdown continue!

:)

Anne

Family Funnies

Andrew has been cracking me up. Here's some of his latest funnies:

Lying
Andrew has been riding the fine line between fact and fiction. After an episode of pure fiction, I called him on the incident in front of Daddy. Daddy said, "Bud do you know what lying means?" Andrew replied, "It's kinda like a tiger." Lying, lion, tiger. It makes perfect sense, Andrew.

New Place to Play
I watched Andrew trying to set his football on the tee. His back was to me (and the dog),so he didn't know Lady was squatting right behind him leaving her...uh pile. Andrew (still unaware of Lady or her business) stops working and says aloud, "Huh, I need a new place to play. It smells like poop over here." Andrew, you don't know how right you are.

Angry Expressions
Unfortunately for all of us, Nebraska got their tails handed to them by Texas. Daddy was very verbal in his displeasure. Andrew apparently took notes. Flash forward to today after church. Daddy, frustrated with the length of the traffic light, voices a somewhat muted bit of anger. From the back seat, Andrew firmly agrees, "F*** it. Holy crap." Once we pulled it together, I gently reminded Chris that Andrew repeats everything. Chris's response, "He didn't get "holy crap" from me." Touche. I have let a few "holy craps" slip.

:)
Anne