Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Oh my!

So, on this cold, snowy day, I organized for a bear to come to my house to do some pictures with Toby. Someone on a local mommy-site had rented a teddy bear costume and had it for a few extra days so she advertised that she was willing to take pictures with some kids if anyone wanted.

Being a total soccer mom, I jumped at the chance to expose Toby to another "character" hoping to help him curb his irrational fear of the Easter Bunny. I mean, how could someone be scared of a larger than life-sized mute rabbit who stares blankly at with you dead eyes, and holds you with ginormous hands!? Sounds totally legit, right?

I spoke to the person and organized a time for our photo-op. She was going to come to my house and I had some cute picture ideas.

Sadly, on this stormy, icy and blustery day, our bear got in a car accident. What?! No bear?! I had promised my son a bear! I would be lying if I said I wasn't devastated.

Hold the press. Before I come off as a "totally insensitive, overly-eager, my kid will have everything in this world type of mommy-monger," the bear is fine.

It is really important to me that my kid doesn't get disappointed when things don't go his way so while I was crushed and dying on the inside, we had our own little bear photo shoot and he was none the wiser (and a mighty cute bear if I do say so myself!)

 

Roar!

Photographic Friday: Toby's two cents!

 

Hi Folks!

So, I wanted to tell a funny story.

 

The other day my Mama gave me a bath. It was a fun bath. Have I told you that I have a rubber ducky? He has a snorkel. I like him.

 

What was I saying? Oh yeah. So, I got this bath. It was a fun bath. My ducky sometimes squirts water at me and I laugh and laugh. And, um.. Wait...

 

Oh yeah. So, I had this bath. It was fun. Mama said we were going to go somewhere fun so she spiffed me all up nice. Jeepers she puts a lot work into making sure I'm clean! That's why she gives me baths. Baths are fun. I have a ducky in my bath. It's a scuba ducky. He squirts water. I love when he does that.

 

Where was I? Oh yes. My bath! No, that's not right... Oh, I know. So, I get all spiffed up nice and handsome like.

 

Then I pooped. A really big poop. It was up my back and on my shirt. Then, when Mama was trying to change me, I peed. I got pee all over my pants and shoes. Mama said something about only my socks being "salvageable."

 

Then she gave me another bath. I like baths. I have this ducky and he squirts water at me. He wears a snorkel. I like him. I like baths.

 

Bye!

Love,

Toby XOXO

Post Cards from the Bump

How far along? 28+ Weeks! <12 Weeks left!!

Total weight gain/loss: As of my 28-week check-up (Tuesday afternoon) I refuse to answer! Let me just say I left the office with my tail between my legs (and a controlled eating plan.) So, of course, I did what any person who just got a "diet plan" would do and went straight to Friendlys with one of my oldest friends, Stephani! Today, I'm on the wagon and by wagon I mean... a scoop of ice cream not the entire pint!

Baby's size? According to the websites I follow, Alien is approximately 2+ pounds and 14.5 inches long!

Maternity clothes? Oh hell yes. Begrudgingly. And one of my original pairs of maternity pants no longer fits. I feel like such a fatty.

Stretch Marks? Nada. Surprisingly!

Sleep: Ugh! Just... ugh. I am at the point where I sleep when I can, no matter when it is (because it may be all I get!) In fact, I took a 2 hour nap Wednesday night and woke up just in time for Wheel of Fortune! ;) I guess the one thing I can be thankful for is that all these sleepless nights are preparing me for when Alien arrives.

Best moment this week: Probably having dinner with Nickie, lunch with Stephani, and getting a surprise package in the mail from my bestie and 243, Hilary.

**Auntie Hil, even though you are so far away from us you have still made such an effort to be an important part of my pregnancy; that means SO much to me. YOU are my Rusty Nail**

Movement: All over, twisting and turning. He likes to use my bladder as a trampoline.

Food cravings: Girl Scout Cookies

Gender: Still a boy (or I'm going to have to do some serious returns!)

Labor Signs: None yet but, I have had a few Braxton Hicks. They aren't really painful; just uncomfortable.

Belly Button in or out? I think I could just about call it an outie at this point in time.

What I miss: Sleep. Feeling energetic. The desire to be active. The motivation to clean my house. (I am LEGIT embarrassed about the state of my home.) My feet. My waistline. A small grocery bill. A late bedtime.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing my husband experience fatherhood. I once heard a quote that was something along the lines of "A mother becomes a Mom the minute she finds out she's pregnant. A Father becomes a Dad the first time he sees the baby." While Aaron is so in love with Alien (and me) I think he will *truly* "get it" once he sees what we made :)

Milestones: I entered my 3rd and FINAL trimester as of Wednesday (Oui!) AND, I'm in double digits now. When I set up the count-down-to-baby ticker on the sidebar of this blog I was at 176 days- looky now!!! Double digits! ---------->

Other baby updates? Let me think... we are making swift progress on his room! We should be able to set up his furniture in the next couple of weeks. Right, Aaron!?

I'm still *trying* to enjoy my pregnancy. BUT, I'm getting pretty physically tired and I am SO looking forward to meeting my little man! I miss him, if that makes sense.

Photographic Friday: Postcards from the bump

For my friends and family who don't use facebook, here's the update you've been waiting for!

So, we have pictures of Alien! And we know the gender! But first, for those who are interested, an update on the bump.

Now, here are the very first pictures of our little boy (at least since we found out he's a boy)

Realistically, with the amount of heartburn I have, this could likely be his first mugshot.

But really... here's our little boy's picture!

He's quite handsome if you ask me.

Photographic Friday: Postcards from "The Bump"

Today I'm officially 14 weeks and 2 days. I have about 180 days to go. Looking at the difference between my 10 week picture and my 14 (+) week picture, it looks as though I've popped. It really happened in between my 12th and 13th week.

For now, I'm not walking about "sporting the bump" nor am I really trying to "hide it." I think when I wear certain clothing people just think I got a little carried away at Thanksgiving. I haven't had a chance to tell my Department Head at the college nor have I told the owner of the practice I work in so, until they know, I'm going to refrain from wearing my tube-tops to work to proudly display my new superpower... growing humans.

At 14+ weeks I'm feeling much better than I did in the first trimester. I was VERY lucky in that I didn't get morning sickness (or nausea really at all) but, the fatigue... man, the fatigue. I'm so used to being able to push myself; work 12 hour days then come home and work some more. Not anymore. I was seriously concerned all of my muscles were going to atrophy with the amount of time I spent riding the couch! Every day, if I wasn't working, I could be found laying on the couch. Aaron would come by every few hours and hold a mirror in front of my nose to make sure I was breathing, and roll me on to my side to avoid getting bedsores.

Now my energy level is slowly coming back but, in exchange, I'm getting terrible bloody noses (which the doctor said is normal), I need to go bra shopping, (AGAIN), and I'm starting to get a pregnancy appetite (which is scaring me, a tiny bit.) I'm one of those people who really has to monitor every morsel of food I put in my mouth or else I'll pack on the pounds like it's my job. Right now I can't deprive the baby (and let's face it, I'm hungry and I have cravings) so I'm trying to make really healthy choices. For instance, instead of a bag of Heshey's Kisses, I might make some trail mix with nuts, raisins and throw in a few chocolate chips. Luckily a lot of my cravings have actually been for really healthy things (avocado, pineapple, green apples, soups, and MILK! MILK! MILK! (I'm a milkoholic). I do, however, refuse to discuss my love affair with Doritos!

I couldn't have asked for a better person to be by my side for this pregnancy. Aaron is extremely supportive, helpful, and tolerant. I don't know how I would have survived the first 12 weeks without him doing everything for me. Seriously, laundry, cleaning, walking the dogs, filling my car with gas, dishes, cooking, grocery shopping and well, anything else that is supposed to be done. It doesn't hurt that he thinks pregnant women are delicious looking so I take comfort in knowing that if I completely let myself go, the sun will still rise and set on me in Aaron's eyes. ;)

Photographic Friday: New Beginnings

Before I start blogging about the AMAZING vacation Aaron and I only recently returned from (everyone is hounding me to get blogging about that. There are over 2000+ pictures to sort out! Give me a break, people!) I thought I'd post about something else that happened just before we left for Alaska that's pretty much a big deal.

As y'all know by now, I resigned from my position at my former agency. It was a very difficult decision to make and I have always "prided myself" on being a career monogamist; I will get into a job and stay in it FOREVER. Well, with my last job, forever came sooner than I thought. Around February I started looking for new opportunities. I, for one, wanted to have more free time, I was also thinking about pursuing my doctorate (the program I start this September) and wanted to pick up another teaching class at NHTI, where I'm an adjunct professor. Unfortunately, my current position wasn't conducive with any of those desires.

I was very picky with the places I applied to; they had to meet certain criteria. I knew I didn't want a "boss" nor did I want a schedule that was predetermined. I also wanted the luxury to use the types of therapeutic interventions I wanted to use and I really just wanted everything to be flexible. So, low and behold, I found a position that sounded pretty good and I applied for it (among a few other positions). It had been years, YEARS since I had interviewed or applied for a new job so I figured, if anything else, it would at least allow me to throw my hat in the ring and sand off some of the rust I'd acquired being a career monogamist. The interview at this particular practice lasted 2 hours and, when I left there, I knew it was what I wanted. It felt right and everything about it felt good.

It was about a month before I heard back and the time passing made me nervous. When I got the call asking me to join the private practice, I was elated... and scared. This was a huge change but it would allow me to make my own hours, my own money, and I had the option to decide how many clients I wanted to see, AND when I wanted to see them. I accepted the position and gave my notice shortly thereafter.

I have to say, there isn't anything I have found, yet, that I don't like about my new job. I plan to work about 20 hours per week, I've picked up another class to teach in the fall (two classes back-to-back, I'll be done at 12pm every Tuesday and Thursday) and I'm working toward my doctorate. Currently, I have two days per week off as classes haven't started yet and the amount of free time is such a new concept to me. My house is spotless, I've kayaked more this summer than all the past summers combined, and I'm devouring novels prolifically. I keep waiting for "the catch" and I don't think there is one. I can work as hard as I want to.

So, without further "ado", here is my new office. I picked out every piece of furniture and the practice was more than happy to buy them for me. I am beyond excited and really look forward to this new chapter.

You can't really see it from this angle but, my office overlooks a footbridge over a brook. It's a wooded area, good for bird-watching and I even have a giant Turkey (who I call "Salem") that lives in the woods and is seen from time-to-time.

Photographic Friday: American Made?

I have no idea how this happened but, somehow, our little Rocko was imported from China. ;)

Photographic Friday: Therapy is for the birds

A long while back a new store moved into the neighborhood where I was living at the time. I try to support small business and this particular store is an antique-esque place that sell all sorts of furniture and home decorative pieces from all over the world (i.e: remember the armoire I purchased for my bathroom? The big white one from France that weighs about 250 lbs. and almost caused the demise of my marriage as we tried to move it up the stairs? I got that piece there.) Anyway, I digress. One of the displays were origami cranes. I love birds and I was obsessed with these cranes. Immediately, I asked the owner if I could purchase them and, to my disappointment, she told me they weren't for sale -- even after I gave her "the look" that says "Really, there is no price that would allow me to take these home?" Every time I would visit the store (which was often- she has great taste) I would demand she sell me my cranes remind her how much I would enjoy making the cranes the focal point of my office. Finally, one day, she called me to let me know she was changing the scenery and I could have my cranes.

With a little bit of tweaking (and some paint) they found their way to my office and, not only do my clients like them, I find them very relaxing. A huge thank you to my wonderful husband who suspended them from the ceiling.

If you're in the vicinity of Concord, NH, visit Kaza. It's worth the trip!

Photographic Friday: Obedience

A couple of weeks ago, the baby of the family (Shamus Arizona) graduated obedience school. You know, for someone who pretends claims he fell prey to his manipulative wife and daughter's ploy to buy a dog, McPepe doesn't seem to be suffering too much; look at that million dollar smile.

That's right, Linda and I are the alpha dogs around here.

Photographic Friday: "Jesus was a Carpenter"

When Aaron and I bought our house, the yard left a lot to be desired. Granted, there were a lot of perennials and rose bushes but, other than that, the previous owners didn't keep up with the landscaping. Another eyesore that existed was the shed. It was made from plywood and on the verge of falling apart. Plywood doesn't really hold up to harsh New England weather so, Aaron and I were certain this would be one of the first things we got rid of.

A few days after our wedding, when we opened our gifts, we found among a larger box a tiny little present about the size of an index card. Aaron and I opened it, confused at what we found; small block of wood. We flipped it over to see written on the back "Wood for a shed. Love, Mom and Dan"

Over the summer Dan cut all the wood we would need to build the shed of our dreams. Aaron (along with occasional help from our family) built the shed I envisioned in my head. Not only is it something we will have for the rest of our lives (if we move, we're taking it) but, it's from trees cut by my step-father and built by my husband.

It has been a work in progress but, it's pretty much done now. All we need to do is stain the wood and add some shutters and window boxes.

Photographic Friday: Bawstin

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a focus group in Boston to discuss my experience as a bone marrow donor. Of course I would attend so, on Wednesday (Oui) I took the day off from work. Aaron and I ventured down to Boston. I just love Boston. I love, Love, LOVE it. There was rain in the forecast but, lucky for us, it held off until later in the afternoon.

Tunnel

We parked at Rowe's Wharf on the waterfront because that's where my focus group would meet at 6:00 that night (and parking would be validated.) Within a short walk from the wharf was our first stop, my favorite place in Boston- Quincy Market! I love the vendors, the shopping, and the food. Plus, there seems to always be some sort of street performer doing something. We bought a delicious frozen yogurt (with jimmies) and it cooled us down while we did some browsing and people watching.

Giant Macaroni Sculpture? LOL.

After Quincy Market we walked over to the Granary Cemetery (Yeah, I love creepy cemeteries. Jealous?)

Mother Goose

 and Paul Revere (among a few other famous people) are buried there.

We walked almost everywhere we went in Boston that day. It was gorgeous and NOT raining so, why not? On our way over to Boston Common and the Public Garden we found a street vendor selling sterling silver jewelry. Um, Yes please. I picked up a few things.

 

I really wanted to ride the swan boats, a classic Boston thing so, we did! The swan boats have been a Boston fixture since 1877, I believe. They are fashioned after the story Make Way for Ducklings. The captain brings you (pedaling) all around the pond in Boston Public Garden, which they have beautifully landscaped. I'm not a city girl (per se) but I could definitely see myself spending a lot of time in Boston.

We walked all over the garden, spying on people, scenery and animals :) This worked up an appetite.

One of my all-time-favorite television shows is Man V. Food. I love it and I can't quite explain why. (I do know it has a little to do with the fact that I have a crush on Adam Richmond, the host) but, in all seriousness, he tours our great country and tries out all the local haunts. I saw his Boston episode where he went to Eagles Deli to do a burger challenge. I decided I had to try this place out. So, we hopped on the "T" to get a burger at Eagle's Deli. It was a dream come true. I sat in a booth where Adam rested his little buns and ate the most amazing burger.

Dream. Come. True!

Being in a food coma, we decided to explore more of Boston. It just so happened we jumped off the "T" at Newbury Street. And then it started to rain...

What is one to do on Newbury Street if it rains? Hmmmm.

Shopping of course!

I made my visit to H&M- a favorite of mine (and a few other stores)

Aaron and I ended the exploration part of our day with some iced coffee and snicker-doodle cookies at the Wired Puppy on Newbury. It was amazing. Then we hopped back onto the "T" to the waterfront so I could attend a focus group for "Be the Match" registry. I was able to meet with other marrow donors to talk about my experience of donating. It was nice to meet other people and represent a process. At the end, not only did they validate our parking for the day (which would have cost about $40 [!!]) they also paid me for my thoughts and opinions! This made our day in Boston (aside from my, ahem, "purchases") cost a big fat zero! What an amazing day!