Here we go again... (a recap of the last 4 months)

So, like I have said numerous times before, 2012 has been a crazy year and the first 3 months of it were by far...well, almost comical.  Here it is in a nutshell (I could go on and on but I tried to shorten the saga, ha).

It all started when we found out about Smith's allergies.  It was/is pretty life changing.  He couldn't eat much and neither could I since I was still nursing.  It was really tough adjusting but we are doing so much better.  A few days later I went to the doctor to finally get my wrist looked at because it had been bothering me since Smith was born.  I cried in pain on a daily basis because of it so Ty put his foot down (which he rarely does) and made me go.  I went and the doctor did an xray and told me I needed surgery.  What??  He sent me to an Orthopedic surgeon who decided I could try a cortisone shot to see if that would work and thankfully it has so far.  Bullet dodged.

Then Ty started a new job but we found out after he started that our insurance wouldn't start until 90 days later, so he started calling around for temporary insurance.  Well, it the midst of this I had found out I was pregnant and wasn't going to tell Ty until he got home from his first business trip with this new company.  I wanted to surprise him and not have him stress about it while he was gone.  That didn't quite happen because of the insurance.  So I told him, he freaked, I freaked and then we started getting our act together.  We got on Cobra Insurance, which is great but so incredible expensive for a family.

Then I got very, very sick.  I mean, like, I have never been so sick in my entire life.  I had bronchitis, pneumonia and an ear infection.  This all came about  2 days before Ty left for that business trip and 2 days after I found out I was pregnant.  I couldn't move, had a 105 degree fever for over a week and I was in tremendous pain.  That was the first time I let Smith watch tv and we watched a lot.  I couldn't do anything.  Ty's parents were out of town, my mom had just left and Ty was out of town as well.  Thankfully my sister was able to help me out some so I could rest.  But, I will say that was the absolute worse thing I have dealt with in a long time.  I couldn't do anything and it lasted for over a month.  Ugh.  So, with not being able to eat dairy, eggs, peanuts, seafood (and I don't eat meat) or anything that contains those proteins and being sick, I lost a ton of weight.  Normally I would have been almost happy about that but it was just ridiculous.  So, I stopped nursing Smith at 13 1/2 months mostly because I needed to eat more and I was pregnant.  To debunk any old wives tales, you can get pregnant while nursing, haha. (obviously I knew that but was not thinking that would ever happen).

Anyway, fast forward to April and things are definitely looking up!  Ty started another new job 2 weeks ago and is loving it.  The first new one just was not a good opportunity and he had no support.  It is crazy how he could never get any answers about anything much less a client list.  That is another long story in itself but he quit, found a new job (they actually sought him out) and all is going well on that front.

I am now 17 weeks pregnant and I have had no problems gaining weight...at all.  I have gained way more at this stage than I had with Smith.  Although at this stage with Smith I hadn't gained a pound.  But, I think my body just naturally is more comfortable at a certain weight.  I am still wearing my clothes, although the pants are getting uncomfortable so I'm sure maternity clothes will happen very soon, very soon.  I have had a few ultrasounds and everything looks good so far.  I go tomorrow for just a check, no ultrasound this time though.  I find out in 3 more weeks the gender but I am pretty confident it will be a boy.  I mean, I would be willing to bet big on it and I don't like to bet (much rather go shopping and have something to show for it).

I am terrified and excited about having 2 kids under 2 years old.  Some days I think I will be fine and others I panic some inside.  I try not to show my fear because I know kids can sense it and I am going to have to show these two kiddos I'm in charge and confident, haha.  It will be challenging but I am very hopefully I can do it and not end up in the looney bin.  I have started thinking what all I need to buy for this new baby.  Everyone keeps saying, oh you have everything you need from Smith, blah, blah, blah.  Nope, I need a new crib, double stroller, monitor, monster diaper bag (my cute Kate Spade will not handle 2 kids I'm afraid), high chair and I'm sure other things.  But alas, it will all work out and will just keep praying for a healthy baby, boy or girl.......

This says it better

I think this is how I really wanted to express a previous post about being a slacker.  I really like how this author makes it all better!


http://powerofmoms.com/2012/04/your-children-want-you/

The Power of Moms

Spring Break

We deemed last week our official spring break and headed down to my parents at the River.  It was so much fun!  We had really nice weather all but a day and a half.  We headed down Sunday and Kristen and her gang came down Tuesday night.  Smith is definitely a beach baby!  He hasn't been in the sand much since he was 8 months old so I was curious how he would do, but he dove right in.  It was a nice relaxing week and I am so thankful we could all be down there together to celebrate my sister's birthday, Easter and Ty's new, new job....oh yes more on that later.

Tired bubby

This is what happens when only one nap happens....Hahaha Too funny! Smith still takes two naps most of the time but occasionally he will sleep for an hour and a half during his first nap which means, no afternoon nap. Poor little guy just couldn't wait a little longer until bedtime.

Slacker Mom

Lately I have totally been feeling like a slacker in the mom department.  I don't know where this stems from but probably from Smith's first friend's birthday party.  I beat myself up about not doing this or that but really there is no reason too.  I am the mom I am supposed to be.  This is what I mean though...

I have never put Smith is any sort of "class".  No swim lessons, no music lessons, so whatever lessons.  Every other mom seems to be on top of this and have plenty of disposable income to do all of these things.  In part, my social anxiety in  new situations stops me from trying the classes but the other part is they are so damn expensive.  Ty just started a new job and he doesn't expect to make any commision for 9-12 months.  So we are poor for a while.

I am not crafty nor do I really care to be.  I can't sew anything or monogram anything or decopage (does anyone do that anymore??).  I don't do pinterest because I signed up for it one time and it overwhelmed me with what I wasn't doing, so I quit.  It made me feel like a loser for not having a freezer full of fabulous meals, beautifully decorated house and an amazing nursery.  Just don't need more guilt to add to my pile.

I am not a good cook and I don't really like to cook nor do I want to learn.  It just doesn't interest me.  I already have anxiety at the grocery store bill and I get like 10 things for Smith and there goes $100 (damn allergies).  Lately, Ty's meals consist of mac n cheese (I make him put peas in it just to try to convince myself it's semi ok to eat-gross) and my meals consist of chips, an apple and some candy.  Winner!

Smith's nursery is still not exactly how I want it to be...yes, he is over a year.  We were living in a rental house when he first arrived so I knew it would be awhile before I really put together his nursery.  Fast forward many, many months and it is still not finished.  I just got the crib I wanted for him in January.  Yes, he had a crib but I didn't like it.  I ordered it at PBkids because it was on sale and when I got it in I hated it.  It was the wrong color, the wrong style the wrong everything but I didn't say anything and just lived with it.  That was until Smith decided he didn't like it and wanted to chew his way out of it.   I realize kids teeth but when your child wakes up from a nap with paint chips in his month and all over his face you decide that is just not right.  So after spending 2 months of the phone with customer service (they were ridiculous) we got our money back and got rid of the crib.  He now has a great iron crib, which is what I wanted from the beginning but just didn't want to spend the money.  Anyway, finally have the bed I like, the dresser and bookcase.  I just need a new rug, new bedding for his twin bed, new twin bed (another long story related to buying an antique bed without measuring, ugh) and then we will be done!  Hehe, not much at all.....

Smith has been invited to approximately 5 play dates in his 14 months.  Every other mom goes to like 2 or 3 a week.  Where are my friends with kids?  All of my Nashville friends have moved away and the ones that are here live in Nashville and I moved to the Burbs.  I'm out of the loop and Smith is missing out.  That is why at the birthday party it became apparent that his social skills with other kids his age were lacking.  He is used to being around his older cousins and doesn't really jive with the younger crowd.  He hung out in the ball bit (by himself) while everyone else was eating cake.  It was so cute and yet I got a little sad.  He is super social and talkative when he knows people but very reserved and quiet when he doesn't.  Sounds a little familiar, huh??Mommy fail.


I can't be the only mom to feel this way.  Why do we beat ourselves up?    It is tough enough to survive the day while chasing a toddler (wow, I really have one of those) and making sure his needs are met but I make it harder on myself by constantly looking to what I don't do.  That's just silly.

Our whirlwind continues! We have had so much going on in our little family. Ty could sense I needed a break big time so he suggested we head down to the River for a last second trip. He asked me on Tuesday and we were on the road on Wednesday, ha. We stayed for a week and then brought my mom back with us so she could help my sister out while her husband was out of town. We had a great time at the River. Lots of eating, shopping, walking and relaxing. The boys played lots of golf so Ty was thrilled.

While we were down there my mom had a big birthday! It was so fun getting to celebrate with her. Smith decided he wanted to start walking while we were down there too. My mom talked to him on the phone a few weeks before we came and she told him to not start walking until she saw him. Well, sure enough, he started walking the second day we were there. It was great! So, at a little over 13 months the walking began!

He also has a few words that he says over and over-this, that, ish (fish), momma, dada, no, yeah and uh-oh (his favorite). Everything looked good at his one year check up as well. He weighed 23.8 lbs (60%) and 31 inches (80%). He dropped a little on his height in regards to his track but they weren't worried at all.

We got back from my parents house on a Tuesday and we left with Ty to go to Gatlinburg for a work conference.  We just got back last night.  I feel like we have been gone so much lately.  It was fun, although I will say Gatlinburg is quite the redneck town.  It was an experience, haha.  Our hotel had an indoor pool so Smith got to swim for the first time really.  I put him in water when he was little but really just his feet and legs.  He loved it!  I can't wait for the pools to open here because I am hoping/thinking he is going to be a water baby like his momma!

Whew

2012 has kicked my (our) tail to say the very least. While there is a whole list of things that have happened and an enormous bag of worries, I am really trying to let it go for now. In the grand scheme of things, we will be ok and everything will work out as it should. But, whew, 2012 is only about 6 weeks old and it has been a doozie. I'm ready for a few non sick, non stressful days. Or a vacation would be nice...

(at least he is so sweet and makes me smile all of the time!)