Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Insanity defined

Insanity is defined as getting in your car with your almost 3 year old toddler and your 2 month old baby and driving over 1000 miles (round-trip) to get out of your house so that your husband, who's taken time off from work, can install the wood floors you purchased over 2 years ago that have been sitting in the garage.

Yes, tomorrow I'm loading up the car and packing up the kids and we're on our way to Indiana to spend a few days with our friends, the Millers. On the way, we're making an overnight stop in Louisville, KY to visit with our friends, the Monteiros, who we haven't seen in 4 years.

I'm really excited about visiting with our friends and their children. But when I really stop to think about it, I guess the fact that right now I'm functioning on "extremely optimistic denial" gear is the only thing preventing me from calling everyone, canceling our little road trip and crawling into bed in the fetal position for the next week or so. I'm sure my next post will contain lots of stories and pictures. It should be an interesting few days; if we make it past Nashville, that is,...

Well, I should get back to the laundry, the packing and moving some furniture around. I have to remind myself that when we get back gone will be the ugly tile and nasty carpet from our entryway, dining room and living room. And in it's place, there will be warm, welcoming, beautiful wood floors. Right Scott?

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Our Little Giant

OK, so our baby boy had his 2 month check-up today. Yeah,... I'd like to say he and I did great, but the truth is that the whole thing was a bit rough on the two of us. I thought I remembered how hard it was to see them cry due to the 5 shots they get during these visits but honestly, I totally underestimated the effect it has on me. Even though I know I'm doing the right thing for my kids, it is absolutely horrendous to have to hold them down while they scream from the pain of the vaccines. And on top of it, having to be there alone,... Actually, as soon as I left the doctor's office I immediately called Scott and told him: "Cakes, you know I love you, but I really don't like you right now."

Anyhoo, after having survived that whole ordeal and voluntarily scheduling it yet again in another two months, let me share with you some of the facts that came out of the appointment about our little giant Sam:

* He measured in at 23 1/2 inches long (75th percentile).
* His head circumference is 40 cm (also, 75th percentile ~ thank God for C-sections).

* He currently weighs 15 pounds and 3 ounces (97th percentile ~ and wears size 6-9 months clothes).
(And yes, that is our adorable nurse, Ms. Emily, in absolute shock over Sam's weight)

(See the band-aids on both of his gorgeous round thighs? It was horrible, I tell ya.)

* Apparently, his personality right now is a pretty good indication of what he'll be like as a child in the future ~ definitely good news since he is such an easygoing baby, well,... as long as his belly's full and his diaper's clean.(Although this is definitely not a good picture, I just thought I'd show that our sweet boy ended his day on a happy note.)

Finally, as if this wasn't bad enough, guess what? Not only do I get to take Sam back in July for another round of abuse, but Isabella also has her annual check-up scheduled in July. One thing's for sure - I'll be calling the doctor's office beforehand, and if Isabella is slotted to get shots during that visit, you can bet on the fact that Scott WILL be there. She's old enough to blame me for all of it and I just know that I can't walk around and function with that kind of guilt on my shoulders.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

a happy Mother's Day indeed...

I'd say it was a pretty great day today. I woke up to three cards from my beautiful family, an exquisite flower bouquet handmade by Isabella at school and a lovely name bracelet and earrings set from my wonderful husband, which I've had my eye on for a little while.
We went to church and then to lunch, at where else? You guessed it: PF Chang's (a bit of Deja Vu from last year's Mother's Day, actually). Afterwards, we enjoyed some time at home before heading out to a very special event.

You see, my nephew Christian, whom I absolutely adore, got baptized today and I had to make sure to be there to witness and celebrate his special occasion with him. So while Isabella and her Daddy hung out for a while, Baby Sam and I went to the baptism. I was just thrilled for him, but even more so when I saw him after it all took place and saw how incredibly excited he was about everything. Congratulations Buddy!!! We are so proud of you.
Now I'm getting ready to sit with my wonderful hubby and enjoy a movie, or some TV or maybe just some good ol' quiet time. I can't think of a better way to end such a great day,...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

OPAM - May

One of the blogs that I constantly stalk, or rather frequent, is that of photographer Tara Whitney. She is unbelievably talented ~ just click HERE to see it for yourself. Anyway, she does this thing called OPAM, which stands for One Project A Month. So the premise is you (1) pick a project you'd like to accomplish (2) post the "before"picture in your blog at the beginning of the month (3) do whatever it is you told everyone who reads your blog you were going to do, and (4) post the "after" picture at the end of the month. I thought it would be fun to try and since I'd have all month to complete the chosen project, there's not that much pressure to make the whole thing stressful. Also, I think the fact that I'm posting it here, gives me that extra bit of accountability to push me to get it done.

With that being said, here's my OPAM for the month of May: our half bath downstairs.

I don't know if you can see it in the above photos, but the painters tape is still on, after just one coat of paint. I actually started this project right before I had Baby Sam. And the reason it wasn't completed is because it was extremely uncomfortable to be bending, kneeling, sitting and reaching while being 9 months pregnant. Now that Baby Sam is here and healthy and I've been given a clean bill of health, I'm ready to tackle it again.

Well, the plan is this: I will finish painting the walls, I will paint the vanity, I will decorate it and I will post pictures of the finished product. So wish me luck!

On a different note, we've had such beautiful weather around here lately that we decided to take "the kids" (it's so strange to type that) to the zoo on Sunday after church. The temperature was in the mid 70's, the animals were out and happy and we had a wonderful day.
Yes, Isabella has a fruit punch mustache and Sam had just turned 7 weeks a couple days before this picture was taken. Crazy, isn't it?

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Survey says,...

Just in case there's any question as to who Baby Sam looks like, the proof is in the pictures.

The following pictures were taken the day of their respective births:
Dr. Moore with Isabella in 2005:
Dr. Moore with Sam in 2008:
These were taken the day they were each released from the hospital:
Isabella in 2005:

Sam in 2008:
So there you have it ~ Baby Sam looked just like Isabella did at birth which means chances are he will also look just like his father. I tell ya, those English genes of Scott kicked my Latin genes' butts straight to the curve yet again.