I’m 3 months old!!! (a week ago!)
Current mood: hungry

Hi! I turned 3 months old a week ago! It's OK, I heard Mommy is a little slow since I was born.

So, I really enjoy laying around in my gym...

And I enjoy lots of tummy time...

Alan didn't like tummy time right Mommy?

The bouncy seat is OK but not one of my favorites...

It used to be my brother's but now it's mine!

That's my brother right there, he's pretty cool!

We went to the beach on my 3 month birthday

I put my feet in the ocean and it was SO COLD!

I love my sosa

I love my Daddy

I love getting my diaper changed!

Being naked is nice!

Speaking of naked, I'm naked in my brother's crib! Ha Ha Ha!!!

And I'm eating his puppy!!! HA HA HAAAA!

Oh shoot, something tells me I should put the puppy down...

What am I supposed to do with this?

I really don't care that Mommy took my sosa...

My hand tastes better anyway!

OK, all of this excitement got me tired

I'm goin' to sleep now

See ya next month, if Mommy can find the time!

2:02 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

tee hee! <3 <3 <3
Current mood: bored

2:06 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

OK sure, 1 more...
Current mood: blessed

It's 9:30PM. My little one is in his room with Daddy getting ready for bed. My littler one is fast asleep and wont be getting up until about 4AM for a bottle. These past 2 1/2 months have been tough. Dealing with a colicky newborn and a toddler in the "terrible two's" stage is not easy. Not the slightest bit easy. But who says life should be easy? If life were easy, it would be boring. Many times in the past 2 1/2 months I've wanted to rip my hair out of my head or jump out the window. Many times I've been left alone to deal with a newborn crying for no apparent reason while his big brother throws a tantrum. Holding one in my left arm and one in my right, trying to calm the both of them. Rocking the baby while his brother tugs on my leg yelling "up! up!" Changing one diaper while the other one is crying to be fed and vise versa. But at the end of the day I'm so happy. I look at their angel faces while they're asleep and my heart aches. I love them so much. They're babies. Of course they wont go easy on me. These past 2 1/2 months have been the ultimate test for me. Can I handle it? Can I be a Mommy of 2 needy little boys? The answer is yes. I can do it. I am doing it. At the end of the day, I can laugh at the chaos. And I'm thankful for it. So many people want what I have but can't have it. So maybe there will be another in the future. I am blessed with the 2 I have so why stop there? I'm so in love with my boys right now. Or maybe it's just the wine talking? Hmmm.................

1:28 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

William’s birth story...
Current mood: thankful

Well, William is now 12 days old and I have about 20 minutes to myself. Lots of you have been asking for his birth story so here's how it went...

On Friday morning, May 2nd, I had a doctor's appointment. Already 4 days late I was hoping for some good news but when Dr. Cooperman examined me, he said I was just about a centimeter dilated and didn't seem like I was having the baby anytime in the immediate future. In his words "See you next Wednesday for your induction."

Henry and I did some shopping and stopped off at my mom's. Then we went home and I continued my nesting, washing and organizing everything in sight. I was glad I still had one weekend left to get everything perfect.

Friday night around 12:30, I started getting cramps. I didn't think they were contractions because my tummy wasn't tightening. They just felt like cramps I've had before whenever I had my period. Very mild but enough to notice. I told Henry I was going to bed. Just in case this was the start of labor, I wanted to get some sleep first. Two hours later I was laying in bed timing my cramps. I didn't fall asleep in the 2 hours I was laying there and I noticed each cramp getting a bit more intense. I started getting nervous and I called Henry from bed to ask him what we should do. He told me to call my doctor so I did. My doctor advised me to wait another hour at home and see if the "cramps" get worse or closer together. She obviously didn't think it was anything to be concerned about.

About 10 minutes later I told Henry I couldn't wait an hour. The pain was getting worse and I was sure I was in labor. I took a quick shower and Henry called his parents to come stay with Alan. It took about 1/2 an hour to get to the hospital and was about 3:30AM when we got there. By that time I could hardly stand up, the pain was severe and the cramps were about every 4 - 5 minutes apart. They admitted me and I was checked. Sure enough, I was almost 7 centimeters. I IMMEDIATELY asked for an epidural. About an hour later (Henry says it was actually 7 minutes but when you're in labor 7 minutes = 1 hour) Mr. Wonderful arrived and gave me an epidural. About 5 minutes later I was feeling fine. Shortly after that my doctor showed up and checked me again. Now I was about 9 centimeters. So, if I would have waited any longer for that epidural, I would not have been allowed to get it! Thank God I left my house when I did!

My doctor told me to relax and expect to be ready to push within the hour. At around 6:15AM I was feeling lots of pressure. The doctor checked me again and I was ready to go. She got her scrubs on, turned on the bright overhead light, and told me to try my first push. About 3 pushes later (6:24AM) William Michael was born. 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19.5 inches long.

12 days later and I don't even feel like I just had a baby. This time, I didn't need to be cut so I was hardly even sore the day after. The nurses were all amazed that I wasn't asking for pain killers. I now know what a real contraction feels like and I have to say they are NO JOKE. The worst part of the whole experience was having to breathe through a contraction while getting an epidural. I was certain I would pass out at that moment. But I didn't. And all is well. I'm not getting any sleep now, but I guess that's to be expected.

I'm very happy to not be pregnant anymore. I'm already almost fitting into my cute clothes again and I can't wait to get back to my normal self. For now, I'm done having babies. Maybe in a few years I'll get baby fever again, but right now I'm enjoying my boys and life. Having William has made me see how fast Alan is growing up. And I don't want to miss any of it. He has been wonderful with his new brother and I look forward to them becoming best friends. I'm so in love with both of them right now, things couldn't be better.

7:42 PM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Baby Update (no baby yet)
Current mood: excited

I'm officially due next week but this baby looks like he'll be like his big brother, late. According to the doctor, I'm only 1 centimeter dilated. But she says the baby is in a great position and ready to be born. She also said that I will have an easy and quick delivery......maybe she was just being nice? We'll see! Either way, I'm ready to have him and so is everybody else. I look forward to seeing my feet again and sleeping on my stomach. And getting rid of this back pain. And having a nice glass or 2 or 3 of red wine. And being able to give Alan a great big hug without a watermelon in the way. And of course, holding my new little boy in my arms.

I wont see the doctor again until next Friday and if nothing changes we will schedule an induction. Hopefully, the baby will come on his own before that.

Thank you to all of my friends who are asking about me and the baby. It's very much appreciated! Wish us luck!!!

=)

7:43 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Alan’s 18 month check-up!

Today my little boy had his 18 month check-up which included 2 shots and he took it like a man! After the first shot, he considered crying, with his little lower lip sticking out, but he thought it over and decided it wasn't worth the tears! He then impressed the doctor with his vocabulary and told her something about puppies. He now weighs 30 pounds and is 34" tall, which according to the doctor is perfect and he's a big boy for his age! He does however have allergies and because of his light hair, light skin and blue eyes, he is more sensitive to sunlight and allergens in the air. So we just have to do our best to make sure "his" air is as comfy as possible and he's always protected from the bright sun, which is fine with him since he loves wearing sunglasses anyway! The only thing I'm torn about are my cats. The pediatrician didn't say "get rid of your cats" but she did say "don't plan on buying any more cats." So I take that as "You shouldn't have any cats." So I'm stuck with 2 old cats that I don't know what to do with. My son is the most important person in the world to me and I will do anything for him. And most likely his little brother will share the same sensitivity. So now I have to decide what to do with the cats! =/

10:23 PM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

He’s done!!!!!!!!!!!
Current mood: sore

Well, I’m officially 37 weeks pregnant now and that makes me officially full term. The baby can come any time now and it’s perfectly OK! I don’t know if I can hold out for 3 more weeks...this baby is giving me hell. I can hardly walk like a normal person anymore! I feel like he’s gonna fall out! (sorry for any visual)

7:03 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

=(
Current mood: scared

Well, my plan for tonight was to clean the basement, but a big hairy black spider has changed my mind. Why does this happen when I’m home alone??????? I’m gonna go back upstairs now, before he gets me. I wont be back down until tomorrow for sure when Henry can come with me and be my hero.

6:55 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Anyone want 2 cats?
Current mood: annoyed

2 old cats, for free. One is 16 and howls all night and is very annoying. The other is 13, has a lot of fur and pukes daily because of her fur. They are both stinky and constantly make a mess. Take them.

1:29 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Current mood: relaxed

Spring cleaning is so good for the soul. I know I have a bit of an OCD problem, especially being pregnant, but to actually spend the weekend organizing and cleaning out the house felt sooooooooo good. Henry and I threw away bags and bags of useless junk and donated even more bags to Good Will. Now my house is almost ready for the new baby. I feel like I can start to relax, finally. Oh, not to mention I’m officially on maternity leave and don’t have to think about work until SEPTEMBER!!!!!!! Does it get any better than that? Having off the whole Spring and Summer??? =D

Now, I just gotta have this baby and get my body back so I can finally enjoy myself, my husband and my boys. =)

5:25 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Baby update!
Current mood: happy

So, I’m 33 weeks now. We went to the doctor today and got a sonogram. We saw Will’s face and his little hands and feet. He’s measuring about 5 pounds now and will gain about a 1/2 pound every week until he’s due. That means he’ll most likely be just as big as Alan when Alan was born, right around 9 pounds! Oh boy! Well, I did it once, I can do it again! Everything else was perfect and I will be starting maternity leave in about 2.5 weeks! I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6:05 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

If I were a horse I would have been shot by now...
Current mood: uncomfortable

OK, so many of you know that I smiled and skipped through my first pregnancy in a field of daisies and butterflies and loved every minute of it. Not only was my pregnancy easy, but so was my labor and delivery. Well, this time, so far I'm not so lucky. I'm 30 weeks now and I feel like I'm done. I'm ready baby, come on out. I feel as if 2.5 more months is just going to be more and more torturous and harder on my body. I have such bad back pain no matter what I do, I can't get comfortable. And I don't mean "backache" I mean severe back pain. The kind that goes shooting up your thighs and back and takes your breath away. Walking hurts, sitting down hurts, standing up hurts, turning over in bed hurts. I'm going to be 32 on Monday and my body feels 102. My legs feel like they're always asleep. And when I lay down, I feel like my chest is being crushed and I can't breathe. Funny thing is, I've only gained 15 pounds so far and am carrying rather small compared to Alan. But this little boy is beating me up big time. There is no way in Hell I'll let this one be 10 days late. If he doesn't come by his due date, induce me. Get him out. I love him and I want him to be healthy but I want my body back. 2 sons sounds nice. I don't need a daughter. Someday, maybe one of my sons will give me a grandaughter and I can buy all the frilly dresses I want. In the meantime I'm going to enjoy my sons and my family. For now, I'm done!

10:29 AM - 5 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

wah
Current mood: drained

My poor little boy went to the doctor yesterday because he hasn't been himself these past few days.  So it turns out he's getting all 4 of his 2 year molars coming in right now, at the same time....on top of a double ear infection......on top of a sore throat.  No wonder he's been so cranky.  I wish I could take the pain for him.  =(  Even though he's going through this, he's still such a sweet boy and just wants to cuddle with me.  Last night he slept pretty good, only woke up once and I think it was because the medicine wore off.

Me on the other hand.  I don't remember what good sleep is like.  My back and legs feel like they were hit by a truck and then the truck went in reverse back over me again.  And there's nothing I can do about it.  The only "cure" is to have the baby.  So I have to continue to walk like a 100 year old woman for at least another 2 months.  It's almost impossible for me to get to work on time.  It takes me too long to get out of bed.  I've been late every day for the past few weeks but I don't even care.  I can't get there on time, I just can't!  I try but it doesn't happen! 

Together, Alan and I are a miserable pair right now.   

5:27 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Alan Update (it’s been a while)
Current mood: impressed

I guess I've been so busy keeping up after my little boy, while trying to rest for the other little boy in my belly, that I haven't really posted an update on Alan in a while (do you really care? or do I just love to brag?) So, Alan is now 14 1/2 months old and SO incredibly smart (I guess I do love to brag). Not only is his vocabulary well over 25 words but he's also already saying phrases and 1/2 sentences. He says "I love you", "Let's go!", "All over!", "All done!" and the most recent "Get down!" Thanks to me for always yelling at the cat to get down off the furniture...Alan now walks up to poor innocent Norman and yells "Get down!" at him even if he's already on the floor (LOL). Alan says most of his words in English but knows some Russian words already too. He teaches Mommy a new Russian word practically every day.

At his last doctors visit just a couple of weeks ago he weighed 27 pounds and was 33 inches tall. The doctor says he's the perfect weight for his age (75th percentile) but his height is as tall as a 2 year old (95th percentile). So, we're thinking he might end up being tall and lean.

He continues to amaze me every day. He's funny and he knows it. And he's very sweet. He gives me a kiss when I ask for one and he loves to cuddle with me at night. His favorite things, besides Mommy of course =) are puppies, balls, books and Elmo.

That's about it for now. I think I'm actually going to go to bed early tonight! (yeah right)

Good night!

5:17 PM - 6 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

E names...
Current mood: blank

So, I have to name my new little boy.  I liked the name that Henry and I decided on but of course there has to be drama.  So I'm thinking of an alternative and it has to start with an E.  Anyone have any ideas of a nice boy name that starts with E, please help me out.  I don't want Eric or Evan.  And Eddie (Edward) is out of the question...HELP!

7:29 AM - 12 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment