My New Year

I know it's already mid January so I'm a little late with the New Year Resolution thing.  When the start of the month and a sparkling new year rolled in I was feeling pretty poor physically and mentally, so the thought of dealing with anything beyond the very basic needs of my family and myself was more than I could handle.  It really threw me for a loop mentally to be feeling so weak and fragile.  I think a lot of it had to do with it being the anticipated birth month of the baby.  Even though I was weeks and weeks away from my 'due date' (I'm currently 37+ weeks) it just seemed like I should have "all my ducks in a row" or at least be putting them there, which was definitely not happening.  Combined with the thought of going into labor when I was already in severe pain with the rib injury put me into mental overload.  Anyways, here I am a few weeks later feeling MUCH better and ready to get this New Year started.

*One of the biggest things I want to be better at this year is making time for myself.  I had a really hard time with this when Riesling was a newborn and know that time in general will be available in even more limited quantities with two little ones, so I'm trying to set my mind to it from the start. As a new mom, I felt very guilty being away from Riesling and felt that no one could quite give her what she needed from me.  Plus breastfeeding is really consuming and she wasn't a fan of bottles.  So, I definitely let her run the show.  I'm not saying that I regret that or think it was the wrong decision, I just think that I need to remember that caring for myself including working out, eating right, and having a little personal time for things like shaving my legs doesn't make me a bad mom.  I know have a gym membership where there is a daycare so I want to make that part of our routine pretty early in the game. 

*This kind of ties in with making time for myself too.  I want to read more.  Even if it's some Oprah book club novels, articles online or listing to books on tape.  I tend to feel pressured to read in depth classic literature or chiropractic research journals.  You really have to be on your A game to get into some of that stuff which means I don't do it.

*Experiment more with food. Once the garden and farmer's markets are in full swing I really want to try some new and exciting recipes and food preservation methods.  I'm in a bit of a rut lately but I'll blame it on the lack of fresh ingredients and my constant heartburn.

“I have the opportunity, once more to right some wrongs, to pray for peace, to plant some trees, and sing more joyful songs.”

~William Arthur Ward

Random Thoughts on a Cold Monday

Our old babysitter refused to touch the thermostats in the house while we were away.  Which I always found to be just a little annoying because sometimes the temperature can change quite a bit between 2pm and 8pm, so I would either have to turn it up before leaving or come home to a cold house.  One of my current babysitters had the heat cranked up to 80 the other day!  What is she doing sunbathing in our playroom?  She is obviously a college student who has never had to pay a heating bill in her entire life.

I am officially full term as of last Friday.  Yep, 36+ weeks and still haven't a clue what I'm suppose to do with another baby in this house.  I keep thinking in my head that I already did all this once so it shouldn't be that hard, right?  I also keep thinking that I am only attempting to fool myself and I know that it is going to be utterly exhausting and probably overwhelming.  I also can't imagine what it's like to have and give all that love again for our new little one.  I'm so excited to meet him or her!

Jim and his brother decided to start a gardening/homesteading website and blog.  They are still working out the kinks but it's up and running and Jim has been working diligently on his blog posts, so head on over and check it out: http://northeasthomesteading.com. 

Riesling is sick.  Poor little girl.  Although exhausted she has been restless in her sleep because of it.   Sometimes she is crying about being cold or hot or needing mommy but right now I'm listening to her mumbling in her sleep about "more books" and "need honey"....I think Daddy read her favorite Pooh and Piglet book too many times before bed.

I have been browsing my Pinterest boards for some dinner ideas I can freeze ahead of time or crockpot or quick dinners to prepare after Baby arrives.  I realized a few things.  I have so many good recipes pinned.  I rarely make any of them. 

Holiday Recap

Is it really a New Year?!  I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it's actually Wednesday...it just kinda feels like Sunday since Jim was home all day.  I have kinda been in a fog the last few weeks.  Busy, busy holiday fun followed, which was immediately followed by not so much fun.  I had this stupid cold which turned into a really bad cough,  resulting in spraining my ribs from coughing so hard, fast forward 3 days later and I'm in the emergency room with bronchitis and severe asthma issues.  Did I mention I am 35 weeks pregnant, work a physically demanding job as a chiropractor and chase around a toddler all day?  It has definitely been a long week! Thankfully I am on the road to recovery and trying to refocus my energy in preparation for our new addition.  Sweet little Baby Robinson will be here before you know it.

Although it seems to have come and gone quickly, we had a really nice Christmas.  We didn't go too overboard on the gifts (although I can't say the same about Grandma!) which turned out to be for the best.  She couldn't even finishing opening the small stack we had.  She just wanted to play with and admire all her new things.  We were opening gifts until Friday last week.  haha.  I think one of her favorite things is a set of eggs I got her for her play kitchen.  She is too funny.

"eggs!!!!"

"I cut the egg!" putting her new cookware to good use.

She was also pretty psyched about the harmonica in her stocking.  After a brief lesson from Daddy she actually picked it up pretty quickly.

 Uncle Tim and Aunt Becka got her a great VW bus pop up tent, which she thinks is a school busy and LOVES.  She spent a lot of Christmas morning dragging in coloring books and stuffed animals and convincing Mommy and Daddy to crawl inside with her. 

She is such a lucky little girl and was blessed with way too many wonderful gifts from loving family and friends.  I know she's still young and didn't really understand what was going on but I think she handled it all very gracefully. I mean how many kids actually say, "no more presents mommy" ?

Monday...

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more.”

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This video was all over Facebook about a week or so ago.  Although I am typically not a very sappy person, watching it made me particularly emotional.  Riesling was half asleep, half awake trying to decide if her nap time was over while I nursed her the rocking chair (yes I still breastfeed... and I pick her up when she cries and try to rock or comfort her back to sleep...and she is almost 2.  Topics for another post...) with my iPad on low volume browsing Facebook when I came across the video.  I think something about that sweet comforting moment between us combined with some strong pregnancy emotions set me into tears.

We are surrounded by such a hectic, self centered world so much of the time.  I found myself thinking at that moment how I want to raise Riesling to be a caring, compassionate, thoughtful, and giving person and what a monstrous and nearly impossible task that feels like.  It just seems to be a rarity these days.  We are busy.  We are callused.  Maybe we just don't care enough.  Maybe we just need to try a little harder.

I do recognize that are really good people out there and actually try to surround myself and my family with those types. I try to raise Riesling by example and hope that most days my example is one that shows her that caring about other people matters, even in the smallest way.  I guess some days the weight of the world around just seems heavy, which has always been true.  It just seems a little heavier after you become a parent.

Monday...

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” 

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We had a busy holiday fun filled weekend.  Saturday we hosted our annual holiday party.  This was our 3rd year and the first where weather was a complicating factor.  We ended up with a ton of neighbors and not so many of our 'out of town' (20-30 minutes away) friends.  It's always a lot of work getting ready but a fun night.  Plus, it's a good excuse for me to scratch some things off my "To Do" list and get the house in super clean pre holiday mode (all the reasons Jim hates the holiday party).

Riesling was a wonderful co-host, sharing all her toys and occupying all the kids in her basement playroom.  She was also adorable in her snowflake princess dress, although she refused the bow and tights.

 She actually stayed up the whole time (past 10:00).  Jim and I were both shocked since she is usually in bed before 8:00 and it was a busy night.  She had a mini meltdown, I tried to put her to sleep, she got a second wind, then ended up completely delirious. 

Sunday we made a trip to visit Santa at our local historic library.  It's such a great setting.  Not too busy and the Santa is very authentic looking and not creeping mall Santa looking (you can check out last years visit here). He is actually our neighbor and starts prepping his beard about mid summer.  He was at our house for the party on Saturday night.  When we walked in Riesling started pointing and saying, "Santa. Santa! In the kitchen"

 Jim and I both looked at each other like...'there is no freakin way she knows that he is actually the neighbor, right?!'  We ended up deciding she was referring to a Santa figurine/statue that we have in the kitchen.  It was just weird because there are other Santas on display around the house and she specifically said the kitchen which is where our guest the whole time the night before.

The actual Santa visit went as expected....

 Excitement from a distance

 I'm not so sure about this

 Mommy!

 No Santa!

Ending with excitement from a distance

Smoothies

We have a lot of smoothies around our house.  I love them because they are so yummy & an easy way to pack in extra veggies and nutrients into your day.  Riesling loves them and asks for them almost daily (she even has her own special smoothie cup).  She has become quite the little helper and knows that banana, milk, and spinach (although sometimes it's kale) goes into everyone.  I switch up the remaining ingredients depending on what we have on hand, my mood, and what I feel like we need a boost of that day.

Today's smoothie:
1 Banana
Almond milk*
~1C. Spinach
~1C. frozen pineapple
1 scoop of protein powder 
1 Tbsp flax seed
1 heaping scoop of almond butter

We just throw everything in the Vitamix (my wonderful new birthday gift) and a few seconds later you have a healthy snack even your toddler will approve of. 

Hair Crisis

Riesling's hair is getting so long.  There is this annoying section in the front that is always falling in her eyes.  She refuses (and pretty much has since birth) to wear headbands, barrettes, bows, or hair accessories of any kind.  The eye hair situation was getting so bad that Jim even commented on it.  Finally today with our powers combined we convinced her to wear a little ponytail (like Mommy's).  If only I could now convince her to keep some clothes on.....

A Video

 October 27, 2013

**Apparently I only take videos of Riesling when she is eating.  Maybe because that is the only time she is sitting still and not trying to steal the camera.

Random

My hair has finally gotten really long which means I'm ready to cut it off. Always happens. I just don't take the time to care for it. I'm debating though. Do I do it now or wait until after the baby is born and I start shedding like a dog?  I have 2 weeks before my appointment to decide.  eek!

I have recently inherited a lot of seasonal items from my mother's stash. I nw have some nice serving platters and dishes for the holidays. Do you stow it away in the kitchen or pack it away with the rest of your seasonal decor?

I am looking for a new book to read.  After a horrifying journey through Anna Karenina (it's seriously embarrassing how long it took me to finish that one) I have been hesitant to dive into anything else.  I did start Motherless Daughters for about the 4th time in a decade but not sure that I will actually stick through to the end (pregnancy does make me a little more emotional).  Any suggestions on a decent easy read?

I am trying to finish a photo wall on my stairs that I started....um...well over a year ago?! It has been sifting through photos on the computer and reminiscing.   How did my baby get so big all the sudden?  I love that little girl so much and I can't believe I get to experience the joy of it all over again.  

Riesling hugging the baby(27 week)

Riesling is so excited about babies right now. The anticipation of our new baby must be so hard for her.  She is so loving and caring about the whole situation; kissing and rubbing my belly, talking about the baby all the time, and practicing her big sister skills with her baby doll.  She gets beyond excited to see other babies with friends, around the neighborhood, or even just our in public.  I have a feeling she will want to be overly helpful with some things!  And I know there are a lot of things she just doesn't see coming (like sharing her Mama!).

Monday...

"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." 

~Lao Tzu

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Lao Tzu
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu.html#UILfj2UvsHPCZlCh.99

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Lao Tzu
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu.html#UILfj2UvsHPCZlCh.99

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Lao Tzu
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu.html#UILfj2UvsHPCZlCh.99

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Lao Tzu
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu.html#UILfj2UvsHPCZlCh.99

Parenting

Just a little parenting/motherhood related reading I've enjoyed lately:

The Passion of Parenting.

A nice post for any mom who had a hard time with breastfeeding and nervous about how it will go with another baby.

You are a Good Mama.  Love this!

The Gift of Not Giving. Would you consider this for your kids/family?

First Year of Parenthood.  I can't wait to do it all over again (wink)

 

Halloween 2013

Halloween was so much fun this year.  Last year we made the best of the situation with Hurricane Sandy but it was kinda a flop.  Riesling didn't have a clue what was going on anyways.  I wasn't sure how much she would "get it" this year but she loved it! 

Riesling and I spent most of the day together at my office.  The patients loved seeing us all dressed up.   We went with a family theme again with Riesling as a little cow and Jim and I dressed up as farmers. 

Thankfully Jim was able to get off work early so he could join in on the festivities.  He makes pretty handsome farmer, don't ya think?

I planned on just hitting a few of the neighbors close by then sitting outside to pass out candy.  Boy was I wrong.  We had to drag Riesling home.  She was so tired but just wanted to keep going to houses. She got the hang of it really quick.  We handed her the little pumpkin bucket and a flashlight and she was off. 

 After the first few houses she had her routine down: grab the treats, ask to come inside the house if a cat or dog was spotted, brief visit, then move on the next house even if your parents are still talking.  She was pretty independent about the whole thing.  She really loved seeing all the other kids out in the streets.  She wanted so bad to go with them but we just couldn't keep up. She would say, "the kids! the kids!" Adorable. 

Jim said it was the best Halloween EVER.  It was really was such a special family night for us.  She is really growing up and turning into more of a kid everyday.  We feel so fortunate to live in such a wonderful neighborhood that is exploding with young kids for Riesling to grow up with.  I can just imagine her running around in years to come with all her little friends. It makes me a little weeping but overjoyed at the same time. 

Monday...

"When the witches go riding, and the black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, tis near Halloween."

~Author unknown

Work Life Balance

I came across the link to this article through another blog (although I don't remember which one) a few weeks back and it really stayed with me.  It's definitely something I have struggled with over the last few years.  I was a really ambitious student and young professional.  A real "change the world" kind of young woman.  All that changed when we decided to start a family.  I actually left a really successful well paying job mainly because of my issues with infertility. 

Since then work has never been a top notch, high stress priority for me.  It was hard for me in the beginning not to be an equal contributor to our household income.  It was also hard for me to see my job as a mother and in the home as important rather than necessary.  But I think over time I am coming to realize that I really am Ok with it.  I am really happy to still be active in my profession and love that I have the opportunity to help people achieve a happy and healthier life.  I am also really happy that this occurs on a part time basis, that I can bring Riesling to work with me, and I have control over my schedule and how much my professional life carries over into my family and home life.

I am not at all saying I am necessarily against anyone who choosing otherwise.  I just know that this is what works for me and my family right now.  I know that my professional life and career aspirations will always be there and precious moments of my little babies will not.  I also know that I don't need fancy cars, luxury vacations, or expensive clothes.  "I'm not ambitious, and that's Ok."

 Riesling working with Mommy, May 2013

Letter from Riesling

Hello Friends & Family,

I have really been into music lately.  Some of my favorite songs right now are 'The Wheels on the Bus', 'How much is that doggie in the window', and 'Baa Baa Black Sheep'.  My daddy recently got a new piano and even learned to play some of them for me. He really is the best daddy.  I also received a new CD, Elizabeth Mitchell, Little Seed.  It came in the mail from one of Mommy's friends and has some really great songs that I like to dance along with.  I think my all time favorite album is still Aretha Franklin, Live at the Fillmore West.  Man can that lady sing!

Love always, 

Riesling

Meatballs

Saturday night we had plans to take dinner over to a friend's to celebrate their new home.  She has a four kids ranging from 16-25, all with significant others that are known to be present at even given time.  I wanted to make sure there was enough food to feed a crowd in case there was one in fact present.  I spent Saturday morning prepping as Riesling would allow and all of nap time making a huge crockpot of turkey meatballs and a pan of roasted vegetable pasta. 

The crockpot was on 'low' for about 3 hours and I had recently switched the setting to 'warm'.  Jim had just gotten home from work and we were getting cleaned up and organized to head out.  Out of nowhere the glass lid of the crockpot shattered!  Into my meatballs!  I was honestly dumbfounded for about 5 minutes, just starring at the disaster trying to decide a) what the hell happen and b) what do I do about dinner.  After the shock wore after it was decided that no one wants glass shards in their dinner and the entire batch was contaminated.  Luckily, I had set aside a much smaller batch to freeze and only one of her kids were home for dinner so I still managed to feed everyone with 2 meatballs to spare.  But, seriously Crock Pot how did this happen?!

Baby Butterflies

I wouldn't really consider myself an anxious person.  Not that I never have a case of the jitters over an interview or some kind of big event, but nothing long lasting.  I tend to take the attitude that worrying obsessively over a particularly situation or scenario doesn't do you much good. You are better off trying to actually do something positive with your energy, hopefully helping the situation, instead.  That being said, I think I am suffering from some moderate anxiety related to the arrival of Baby #2 that I just can't seem to shake. 

One would think that I would have less anxiety seeing that I already have a kid and have done all this before.  I don't even really don't recall feeling this way when I was pregnant before.  Maybe because, even though it was all unknown territory, back then I felt like I could handle one little baby.  Now it's no longer one-on-on.  These little munkins are ganging up on me!  I find myself thinking at varies points throughout the day, "what would I do if the baby was here right now?"  Worst of all, I don't feel like there's much I go actually "do" to be productive in preparing for this change.  I am cleaning out, finishing up weird projects, working on some potty time with Riesling, and stock piling crockpot recipes.  I really know deep down that everything will be fine.  It might be hectic for awhile but we will adjust and settle into a new routine, just like we did after Riesling arrived.  I just hate harboring this feeling.  I have some other current stressors,  like a major babysitting crisis, that I'm hoping get resolved soon, lightening my mental load and my cortisol levels.  In the mean time I guess I just have to hit the yoga mat a little more often.

I wonder if it's a common thing among other mothers to be more anxious for a second or third child? 

Letters from Riesling

Hello Friends & Family,

As you all know, I am going to be a big sister pretty darn soon.  I thought I should start getting some things ready.  First things first.  I really wanted out of that baby crib so I decided showed Mommy & Daddy that I didn't need it anymore by getting out all by myself.  I have to admit that getting over the top bar was easier that getting down the side to the floor.  I did have to call for help, but my plan worked.  Now I have a big girl bed on the floor and the crib is free for the new baby. 

I have also been practicing my buckling skills, sometimes like 100 times a day.  I put Puppy into the baby swing, the high chair, or stroller and practicing strapping him in correctly and buckling him up.  I am pretty good at it and think I new baby will like it when I strapped him or her in all day long.  Puppy, Monkey, & Minnie also let me practice dressing them, putting on socks & shoes, and wrapping them in blankets.  I also wipe their noses when I have a cold and share my dinner with them. Mommy says sharing and helping out are part of becoming a big sister.  Doesn't that sound fun!?

Love always, 

Riesling