THE BRA FACTORY

Crying wolf, and then just... crying.

2012-02-07T13:45:00.000-05:00

I've been eating pineapple to get this baby moving, and though I never believe in anything that could be classified as a "wives tale", I think the excitement and anxiety about Numero Dos had me scrutinizing every little symptom. Yesterday, I had some progression in those things they tell you to watch for, and then this morning, more signs (I'll spare you), so I called the doctor to see if this all warranted a check-up.

They told me to pack my hospital bag and come on in where they'll verify if I can indeed proceed to delivery! I hate getting ahead of myself, but the thought that it was finally happening got me kind of excited. (Remember, this is all COMPLETELY new to me since we knew Lucy would be a C-section early on.)

Now, after a morning on the monitor, various tests, and a mental roller coaster - I was told it's a false alarm and to go home, and continue to wait. No big deal right? I few more days to get all these ducks neatly in their rows.

What I didn't expect is that I'd feel so deflated after the false alarm. If you don't know me personally, let me tell you that I am weirdly even keel. Freaking out, panicking, getting upset - not my thing, and I rarely let the pregnancy hormones rock my boat. But today, I came home and went straight for the macaroons, mochi ice cream, and needed to lay down. I think this Mopey McGee is freaking out Nat and Lucy...

Snapping out of it thankfully; however I THINK I'M READY. Let's do this little guy, before I go FURTHER INTO THE CRAZIES...

39 weeks, 2 days...

2012-02-05T18:36:00.001-05:00

I've officially never been more pregnant. (Lucy's c-section was scheduled at 39 weeks, so this baby would have been born on Friday on that timeline!)

(Which would have been awesome...)

I'm so gigantic and clumsy, I can't even get out of my own way. Thank goodness for that kid whose mom let him ride his scooter around the Whole Foods today or I would have definitely been the most annoying person trying to navigate the crowded pre-Super Bowl aisles. Or like my husband describes me trying move, "it's like trying to move a cruise ship". To which my brother in law quickly added something about "the Costa Concordia"...

Now on that note, someone please bring that cheese ball over to the couch where I can reach it.

Might this be the last bumpdate?

Don't be fooled.

2012-01-24T13:32:00.001-05:00

Me: Lucy, no more please. That's not nice. You're looking at a time out if you do it again.

Lucy: *CRAZY SPIT RASPBERRY IN MY FACE* *SMIRKS*

Me: LUCY. Do you want a time out, or do you want to say you're sorry?

Lucy: YOU'RE SORRY.

Wise ass.

FULL TERM!

2012-01-20T15:37:00.005-05:00

Thirty-seven weeks today. I've never run a marathon, but I imagine that each mile gets farther and farther apart, and each time you hit one you say it out loud, slowly:

THIRRRRTY.

SEEVVVEEENNN.

WEEEEEEEEKS. *wheeze!*

It's officially the home stretch. Being full-term means that if the little guy decides to come this very minute, the docs will not try to prolong the pregnancy but will proceed with the delivery! Which gives me a little feeling of relief knowing that he's baked enough to be healthy. Looks like we made it, little guy.

And with this relief, of course, comes some new anxiety. This time, the belly dweller is not breech, so I have no medical need for a C-section. (If you remember, Lucy was breech and after the stretches, acupuncture, and chanting, she kept her breech position and I didn't have a choice in the matter.) We knew well ahead of time that we were having a C-section and I never prepared myself for labor. And honestly, I was kind of relieved.

The state of Massachusetts does not allow elective C-sections unless you have a medical reason or have had one before, so this time, I choose my delivery fate. Risks for mama and baby in my situation are roughly the same either way.

NOTE: I get stressed out while choosing dinner from a large menu, so you can imagine my head right now.

Initially, I was all C-section all the way. The procedure and recovery with Lucy was surprisingly easy, and everything was well planned out for my 8:30 a.m. appointment on that Tuesday morning. Piece of cake! However, thinking about the procedure and recovery being a little longer and more difficult the second time around, I was getting nervous about the giant incision and the cuddly 2 year old who won't understand that I can't pick her up and snuggle her on my lap. And the fact that as a consultant, I won't have "maternity leave" and will need to be on calls and writing emails soon after the baby is born. (It's not in my contract, but I think they probably don't want me doing this while on morphine.) (...Especially after the incident where I told the dentist that he'd better be careful because "YOU work for ME" after my first dose of wisdom tooth drugs.)

So. I have opted for the VBAC for the sake of recovery, and I've got some nerves about it. I have no idea what to expect for labor, I hate that I don't know exactly when and how it's all going to happen, and to add insult to injury, I'm told I may poop during the process. Shame on science regarding that one.

Wish me luck, friends!

FEE FIE FO FUM.

2012-01-07T09:41:00.003-05:00

35 weeks guys - only 5 more weeks left! Sometimes I wish I could just put him down for a moment and roll over on my stomach, or you know, move at all without grunting and hoisting and yelling HEAVE HO.

Seriously hide your refrigerator and everything in its path.

See, I'm watching myself type "5 weeks left" but I'm kind of in disbelief - how did this go by so fast!?

I'm definitely feeling like I'm in the home stretch though: sciatica, heartburn, nose bleeds, Braxton Hicks, charlie horses, and barely enough room in there for a full meal. Given that list of ailments, the winter weather, and the fact that I don't usually have access to the car, Lucy and I have been spending a lot of time indoors this past week. Nat kindly described us using the term "Grey Gardens". That'll be my cue to get out as much as possible the next few weeks.

Blame him if my water breaks while Little Edie and I are out on the town.

FLASHBACK: 35 weeks preg with Lucy!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T05:21:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! I hope you are all having a lovely holiday and enjoying some time with the ones that mean the most. We're in New York today, heading back to Boston tonight. Yes, we're getting ahead of Santa's sleigh and hitting up 2 of his stops.

Lucy has this calm awe about the holiday that I think is so funny. No doubt calm awe will quickly transform into BANANAS when she experiences Santa stop #1 this morning.

Holiday hugs to you!

Bumpdate that also resembles Magic Eye

2011-12-16T15:22:00.002-05:00

32 weeks today! Eight more weeks to go. EIGHT. I am so gigantic and these stripes are even making me dizzy when I see myself walk by a mirror (that's a lot of stripes).

I am definitely carrying this baby differently than with Lucy... also I'm about 10 lbs lighter than I was at this point the first time around! (Here I am 32 weeks pregnant with Lucy...)

I think if you cross your eyes a little you'll see hamburgers and
Cheez-Its appear in the design on my shirt.

Lucy's Letter to Santa

2011-12-03T09:21:00.002-05:00

We had been prepping her a little for this activity since Nat phoned good old Mr. Claus and asked him to send Lucy a note in the mail. We told her she should tell Santa what she wants for Christmas, might want to mention what her family wants (including Monkey Water) and that she's been a good girl.

While watching the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Special, we thought it a good time to get out the paper and red and green crayons. OK Lucy, go for it! Mama's your scribe, and Dada is waiting poised at Amazon.com to make good on all of your wishes to Santa.

Not sure if Santa is a reader of the blog, but just in case, here's what she said:

Dear Mrs. Claus and Santa,

My name is Lucy. I want a happy bad dinosaur and a dollhouse with people in it with toilet paper. I want that in my dollhouse. And then I'll have so many toys for all of my pals.

I have been a good girl for Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. I'm a good girl in preschool and I am going to teach Monkey Water how to do things.

Mommy wants a toy jack-o-lantern and Daddy wants a song on the iPad, like Bingo Was His Name-O. I want a jack-o-lantern toy like Mommy has. Do you remember? I want a jack-in-the-box that is a snowman. No, a clown. That goes POP! And a remote toy with a TV. (That was a great one, Mom. Write that down.)

I'll write another letter to Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. They're twins.

I live in Boston. I love you.

Lucy

Sure Lucy, you've been stellar in preschool because you've NEVER BEEN THERE. And I don't have a toy jack-o-lantern or a jack-in-the-box. Not a good idea to lie to Santa.

Now off to see if I can find a teeny tiny roll of toilet paper....

Boy, oh boy.

2011-11-29T11:25:00.002-05:00

Popping in to say hello! I've been spending so much time working/toddlering/pregging/holidaying/etc that I'm never here and let's face it, it may be another month or two before I update you again. However, the company I work for has just been acquired and since I'm an independent contractor, it seems I'll have a lot of time on my hands all of a sudden! Perhaps I will blog more. Looking for a job while 7+ months pregnant will be fun. Hey, how's your maternity leave?

Somehow this pregnancy is moving by at lightning speed. I'm now 29 weeks and had my second sonogram yesterday. There were a couple of items we needed to check-out following our first appointment... Once again I had a low-lying placenta, which is now resolved. I had this with Lucy so I wasn't too concerned. The second item was a cyst found on the baby's brain, which also resolved, so no worry. Apparently these appear in a certain amount of babies at the 20 week ultrasound, and can be a trisomy marker (DO NOT google that) but almost always go away. We also knew that there are significant other trisomy markers visible at 20 weeks that our sonogram did not show, so all reason told us not to worry. However we kept that info to ourselves so as to not worry the people around us.

There's just so much available information now, it's hard not to find something to worry about.

This sonogram showed a perfectly healthy baby - who is still a boy! (I asked for re-confirmation since we've all heard of someone who expected one gender and the baby was another...) He moves all the time, has a loud thumping healthy heartbeat, and one heck of a cute profile. Here's the healthy little guy:

Saying hi to his sister, the little ham. All is well with 11 weeks to go! Now just need to figure out a name... We're hoping to think of a more fitting replacement for Lucy's pick, "Monkey Water". So far, MW is all we got.

And for funsies! FLASHBACK TO 29 WEEKS WITH LUCY. Also a sonogram shot! They could be twins, no?

When Monsters Attack!

2011-10-13T17:03:00.001-04:00

Someone is being quite theatrical (with a carrot, the obvious prop) in her new Halloween jammies, which she picked out all on her own. From the boys section, of course.

Worlds colliding!

2011-10-09T08:33:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, there was an epic playdate where two little lovlies (that would be Harper, as chronicled on blue jean amy, and Lucy, the apple of my eye) got together for some girl time on Boston Common. Then discussed their organic beverages of choice in a shared chair.

The moms had a pretty good time too. (Amy and I go back to high school days. It's weird when you're in your teens and think "our kids might be friends some day" and then THERE THEY ARE. HAVING DRINKS AT STARBUCKS.)

From left to right: Verbal Diarrhea, Introspective Cool.

I feel like I owe you this...

2011-09-28T18:11:00.000-04:00

20 in 20! 20 pounds that is. In 20 weeks. Impressed?

20 weeks!

2011-09-23T09:30:00.002-04:00

For those of you fluent in preggy week speak, you know this means we're HALF WAY THERE. EGADS.

INTRODUCING: the teeny little boy that has already changed the world for a certain Mama, Daddy, and very excited soon-to-be big sister...

HOLY MACKEREL THAT'S A BABY! With a perfect little profile, just like his big sis. As of this week, he is about the length of a banana, "crown to rump" as they say. (My brain needs to catch up with this! In my head, I just found out I'm preg and he's a tiny little bean. But no sir.)

Also, did I mention? Boy boy BOY boy BOY boy BOYYYYYY!

We asked Lucy what we should name him, and first she said "Sydney", her (female) cousin. But Syndey's name is Sydney! Can you pick another name? "Uncle Joe". Hmm, Lu, you need to pick a NEW name that's not someone else's name. "How about Monkey Water!" So that is what we have been calling him. (Kind of funny when Lucy tells strangers that Mama has Monkey Water in her belly.) We have already broken the news that Monkey Water is the IN-BELLY name, and when he's born he'll have a new name. We have not told her what her in-belly name was...

Little Boy Babe - You have already changed our lives and we can't wait until you are here and bowl us over with your own unique personality and sweetness. We can only hope we give you the same sweetness and joy that we are already kicking up our heels to every day for you. Little Man, lots of love is coming your way. We love you to smithereens.

... AND JUST FOR FUN: FLASHBACK TO 20 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH LUCY

The Answer!

2011-09-16T15:48:00.001-04:00

I'm friends with most of you on Facebook, so I'm sure you know already. However...

We couldn't be more excited! I'll update soon with pictures of the cute little BOY! Who wiggled and waved during the sonogram. Happy love-filled Friday, friends!

{adorable image lifted from Paper Piper on Etsy!}

Week 18!

2011-09-09T11:47:00.007-04:00

I know I just told you guys that we are expecting, so fast forward through the first trimester, which I'm sorry I didn't fill you in on, but it's not much fun anyway. No baby bump, getting re-acclimated with TUMS, the inside of the toilet (nausea), woefully packing away skinny jeans and pulling out the king-sized bed sheets - no wait - that's my maternity undies.

I haven't been nearly as sick as I was when pregnant with Lucy, so really I can't complain. But brushing my teeth, drinking water, and not eating enchiladas every 2 hours still resulted in some ferocious nausea/vomiting.

But we have arrived at 18 weeks and I'm feeling great! It's true what they say - you start showing much earlier the 2nd time around. I'd love to show you a bump pic, but I haven't taken any. I've gained large amounts of weight and when I look at pictures of the corresponding bumps from last time, my current pregnant self looks like it ate my former pregnant self.

Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Bypass those Bella Bands and go directly to full-panel maternity pants.

A little about week 18:

The Belly Dweller is about the size of a bell pepper according to BabyCenter!
Ears have migrated to their final position (hooray!)
The babe is busy flexing arms and legs, and I'm definitely feeling it in there.

But most importantly during week 18... We can find out the gender of the baby! Which we are doing on MONDAY! I have no inkling whatsoever. With Lucy, I had a girl feeling. And this time, ZIP. Please tell me Internets, BOY OR GIRL?

And just for fun: FLASHBACK TO 18 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH LUCY

A little news for a Friday...

2011-09-02T10:31:00.003-04:00

So I have gained 15 pounds in the past 4 months, you guys. I have been eating like a monster. I have not had a sip of wine, nor have I been enjoying my beloved Starbucks lattes. Headaches, nausea, fatigue... and life has been oh so good.

You guessed it, friends! We will be welcoming ANOTHER LITTLE BEAN into our family this February!

Up until last night, I had been feeling that this pregnancy was completely different. Not much time to daydream about a new little baby since I've got an energy-filled toddler and a job and the other things taking up much of my thoughts and energy. However, last night, the little belly dweller announced its presence with a few little flips and kicks. Feeling this little one move around for the first time changed everything. Flood of butterflies and excitement and love! [Please pardon this pause while I rub my belly and swoon!]

Holy moly, I'm going to be a Mama x 2.

I can't wait to see Nat with another (maybe a boy even?!) and watch Lucy take on the big sister role. Lucky are we.

Happy lovely Friday everyone!

Testing the patience and endurance of a Mama

2011-08-31T08:54:00.001-04:00

We are officially potty training! And on Day 4, I can say it's not easy. We have been staying home for the most part, near her potty, where accidents are manageable.

The plan:

Diapers for night time
Undies during the day (we have both training undies with extra padding to help with accidents - amazing - and fun Yo Gabba Gabba undies)
I bring her to the potty at least every hour to try. So far we've had only a couple of accidents and she's so proud when she uses the potty she bolts as soon as she's done and does an ecstatic lap around the house.
Incentive! We have a sticker chart on the fridge where she puts a 3D colorful gem sticker every time we successfully flush the pee pee to its new home. Full chart trades in for a new toy. She's already asked for Legos.

Obstacles:

After days of hourly pee-pee's she's losing enthusiasm for the whole use-the-potty thing.
Don't even go there for #2. HOW.

And here's where I beg for suggestions and advice. My mom said we were all fully trained w/in 2-weeks of a similar regimen. But how how on earth do we deal with training of the non-pee-pee kind?

If you can't reach me, you know where I'll be for the next 2 weeks. The bathroom. However, the cuteness of how much Lucy loves her undies makes this all a little easier. She has just learned the term "tighty whities".

Lucy Lu and the Funky Bunch

These are the moments...

2011-08-23T22:46:00.000-04:00

Hello from the beach, friends!

Last week, Lucy and I snuck down the Cape with my mom and grandmother during the week while Nat travelled. It felt so good to take a couple of WEEK DAYS to spend at the beach! And hey, Nat's traveling this week too, so we did it again.

The beach is Lucy's favorite place on earth. She never tires of playing in the sand, splashing in the waves, and collecting rocks and shells. So cute. And I never tire of taking her to the beach. Little sun child, she is.

Before we left, I was rushing in and out of the apartment saying "I FORGOT SOMETHING!" grabbing this or that. Lucy then told me she forgot something, and had to go in to get it. OK Lu, I'll wait right here. Some toy or stuffed animal, obviously.

No. She came down the stairs with three over sized googly eyes affixed to her forehead. Seriously guys, what if we forgot those! She slept the whole drive down, eyes closed, googly eyes rolling at my every bump or turn. STOP CRITICIZING ME, GOOGLY EYES.

I'm watchin you.

Call me Elliott

2011-08-15T15:39:00.003-04:00

I can't tell you how many times being with this little one reminds me of the movie E.T. In fact, I think the relationship between Elliott and E.T. is the most accurate comparison to life with a toddler. We're trying to understand each other, I'm responsible for her well being and trying to teach her Earth customs, and then I turn around and she's got a sheet on her head walking into a wall. And also, I love this little creature.

UM, HALLOWEEN IDEA?

Nat got really mad when I suggested that Lucy and I would show up to
his work sponsored Halloween party this way.

It's what's for dinner...

2011-08-10T12:14:00.001-04:00

A year+ of torture and now this. Those poor, poor babies. Remember THIS and THIS??

I'd like to add that their names are Grover and Boy.

Happy Birthday, Nat!!

2011-08-05T04:00:00.001-04:00

As a now 3-time birthday wisher, you'd think this little monkey would be a pro at sitting with cards that wish her dad a happy birthday... But alas, it gets tougher and tougher. Not for the sake of a lack of birthday love though, because for the past week she's been waking up screaming "OH MY GOODNESS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! I HAVE A CARD AND A TEDDY BEAR FOR YOU! AWWW!"

Remember last year? And the year before? TIME IS SCARY.

Gems.

2011-07-13T20:05:00.001-04:00

I know I have a great many things to blog about, including Lucy turning 2 (!!!), Father's Day, trips to the Cape, babe pictures overload. But while I still exist under this rock, here's a little window into my world.

Nat: Lucy, can I put you to bed tonight? I'll tell you a story.

Lucy: NO. MOMMY.

Me: OK Lucy, let's go.

Lucy: Will you tell me a story, Mommy?

Me: Nope, only Daddy has stories tonight.

Lucy: Story of my life.

Other gems she has told me lately: "Mama, you're a real big guy, but a great guy", "Are you big and chunky, Mama?", and "I need to go to Costco to get a box of chocolate milk."

When you live in the city...

2011-06-16T16:10:00.004-04:00

And you don't have a yard, nor a sprinkler to run through...

You find a fountain.

This little jelly bean...

2011-06-11T10:43:00.000-04:00

She makes me melt. Happy weekend.

Happens ALL THE TIME.

2011-06-01T15:18:00.000-04:00

I know you'll never believe me, but this was a total accident. We are not leaving the house until one of us changes.

How it flies...

2011-05-26T08:59:00.000-04:00

This week, I met my friend's new little baby William (who Lucy calls "Yoyum", as in "Yoyum is sooo cute!") and realized that I don't even remember Lucy being that small.

And in less than one month, my little (non)baby will be two.

Success!

2011-05-15T11:24:00.000-04:00

Other than the "no hands" rule and the "no sitting down and rolling the ball" rule, she's a little pro. (I think she's saving the "wiggle wiggle" for game time.)

Dribbling with Dada.

GOAL!

The official Lucy 2011 trading card photo.

Theatrical soccer... ?

2011-05-13T14:32:00.000-04:00

I'm REALLY hoping we aren't rained out tomorrow, because all three of us have been looking forward to Lucy's first day in her soccer group.

Me: Lucy, are you excited for your first day of soccer?

Lucy: YEA! WITH KIDS!

Me: Are you going to kick the ball?

Lucy's answer is below. No idea why she thinks soccer players "go this way and wiggle wiggle".

Happy Friday everyone!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:44:00.002-04:00

My mom wanted nothing more than girly girls - and wouldn't you know, my sister and I were not the doll-loving type. And I never expected Lucy to be the girly type either. I didn't want to pinkify her room, bought her artistic toys instead of dolls or princesses. And wouldn't you know! The girl loves pink and purple, girly accessories, and dotes on her dolls for hours. And I love it!

With my mom in 1982.

Feeling very thankful this Mother's Day, not only for my own amazing mother, but for the great gift of motherhood. Hope you lovely Mamas out there are enjoying some spoiling and baby love!

Baby and me.

Nanny Sue and Lucy Lu.

Lucy, in the 3rd person.

2011-04-22T14:42:00.003-04:00

Today's journal entry from the nanny included a little bit of conversation between she and the small one.

Nanny: Lucy, do you want to go to the park today?

Lucy: NOWAYNOWAYNOWAYNOWAY.

Nanny: No way? Why not?

Lucy: LUCY DOESN'T LIKE THE SWING.

***

Yes, Lucy will be spending this Earth Day indoors. Happy Friday, everyone!

Not my favorite post.

2011-04-21T01:19:00.007-04:00

Yikes... I've all but fallen off the edge of the earth, as far as the Bra Factory is concerned!

I wish I could tell you exciting things have been happening over here, but oh the contrary. A couple of weekends ago - while Nat was away on business of course - Lucy had 2 seizures because of a high fever. This has never happened before, and luckily she was sleeping in my bed so I could instantaneously scoop her up/find my glasses/call 911/start cooling her off...

Thinking about it is like a terrible dream. I have most definitely never been more scared. The sound of the seizure alone has carved some permanent worry in me, and then hearing the ambulance coming for her... it was an out of body experience to say the least.

I could probably write way too much about that 24 hours, or the few days after where I got only a few hours of sleep a day, while trying to keep her fever down which was hovering at 102 even despite 2 fever reducing medications. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

But I won't get too into it, because I'm really happy to have her back to normal, no fever. Everyone sleeping soundly... kind of. Because now I have learned that her body does this to fight high fevers. And while I know that febrile seizures are far more horrifying than dangerous, I know this worry will pang me every time she has a sniffle.

So there was my first dose of real parental fear. And this was scary, but not harmful. She's fine, and now I know what to do when she gets a fever again. It makes me marvel at the strength of parents whose little ones have battles to fight every day.

OK, scary story over... and with that I'll be back to over-posting plenty of pictures of happy/healthy Lucy! Who, by the way, I caught playing her toes like a harmonica and singing "I GOT THE BLUES". Yep, she's fine.

Tradition...

2011-04-01T16:04:00.000-04:00

Happy April Fools!

Evidence

2011-03-25T14:18:00.000-04:00

In case you were wondering whose hair elastic just landed in your salad.

Happy Friday!

Dancy dance

2011-03-22T15:02:00.002-04:00

>> Insert obligatory apology for lack of attention to the blog << Seriously, how does time get away from me like this!

OK, now that that's over with.

Since I've been back to work, (part-time, from home! Can you believe this exists!?) we had to leave Lucy's dance class since they run the class twice per week - go figure - on the two days a week I dedicate to work.

So that means we won't be attending the recital in June, and no more tutu overload. *Sigh*. But all is well, since we found a new dance class that is actually more like what we were looking for in the first place - a mix of dance, song, baby yoga, activity, and movement in a nice dance studio in Southie. One of Lucy's buddies is taking it as well, so all the better!

Here's the last vestige of her former "ballet" class. Never did quite master Itsy Bitsy Spider. But an ace in cuteness, for sure.

Saturday conversation

2011-03-12T20:52:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the silence. Kid, work, chores, play, the occasional book, excuses, excuses... (I just finished reading Dragon Tattoo which was such a page turner! Now almost finished with Little Bee. Internets: What should I read next? Trying to keep up the momentum while I'm on a roll.)

Here's a little window into our Saturday:

Nat: Lucy, are you going to be an astronaut when you grow up?

Lucy: No. Fish.

Nat: You mean a marine biologist?

Lucy: No. Fish. Blublublublublub.

... Man, I love her.

The power of reading material.

2011-03-02T12:15:00.002-05:00

Guess who pee-peed in the pee pee chair! I am so proud.

And I never would have thought to grab the camera if she hadn't thought to grab the Improper... Good one, Lucy!

EFFORTS THWARTED.

2011-02-25T13:27:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to wean Lucy off of the All Important Pacifier, which has proven to be tough now that she can verbalize it. So instead of the bink being out of sight and out of mind with no way to ask for it, it will suddenly occur to her that her mouth is a void (for which she can use to clearly say):

"Binky Mommy? Binky? New binky? Four binkies? Five binkies? TEN BINKIES!?!?"

And then this morning, I was confronted with this:

I didn't die! (+Valentine's)

2011-02-17T13:35:00.002-05:00

I'm here, I'm here! I really have been neglecting this blog, huh? Well well, life interrupts the Internets sometimes.

Happy belated Valentine's day. This year it fell on a Monday, meaning we had some early morning gift giving to our tiny yet saucy Valentine before we started work. **Notice I said "WE"! Yes, I started working again part-time. I'll tell you more about that later.

Anyway, Lucy spent the early hours with her brand new sunglasses on, awaiting her new nanny.

She must have understood the loveyness of the day, because her new penguin and new polar bear bath toys were smooching.

Knock knock... enter new nanny into our lives! Says Lucy: SOMEONE GET THE DOOR I CAN'T REACH THE DANG DOORKNOB.

And truly, there could have been no better Valentine's Day gift to this little girl than bringing someone new to the house who is a pro with Play-Doh, book reading, and never tires of blowing bubbles. (We like the new nanny!)

Any of you who know Lucy in person know that she is an expert cuddler. I will really miss her little loving idiosyncrasies when she grows out of them. For example, she says "Awwwww. Awwww. Huuuugggg." while giving her super-tight-bordering-on-headlock hugs. She says, "Mmmmm-BAH!" while giving smooches and blowing kisses. When she's feeling really generous, she'll kiss each cheek, your nose, your chin, your forehead, and the top of your head like this: MmmmBAH! MmmmBAH! MmmmBAH! MmmmBAH! And when she curls up for a sleepy snuggle, she's got to have her hand on your hair or forehead.

Our day ended with the three of us sharing a huge and amazing dinner at home cooked with love by the hubs, and big big family hugs. Thanks Nat and Lu for giving me a little bit o' Valentine's every single day.

Mmmmm-BAH!

I think she wants a cat?

2011-02-09T18:23:00.001-05:00

She loves cats. One of her favorite stuffed animals, Tal Vez (a cat), she sleeps with every single night. She loves pointing them out in books and yelling CAT! or KITTEN! or MEOWMEOW!

I also think this because the other day she reached out, grabbed my face, and carved whiskers into my skin with her fingernails. Nothing prompted it. There will be no corresponding picture.

MEEEOWCH.

Ask and you shall receive

2011-02-03T15:11:00.002-05:00

Lucy is gaining words at rapid speed. At this point she can repeat pretty much anything, and while her pronunciation could use a little work sometimes, I'd go so far as to call her conversational.

But when she goes through these spurts where she learns and retains a whole bunch of new words, it tends to be at the expense of one she already has...

For example, she's had the word "chip" for a long time. But now all of a sudden she's pronouncing it "bitch". As in, "MOMMY, MORE BITCH. MORE BITCH MOMMY. SALSA?"

OK then, Lucy. Goldfish it is.

Caption contest

2011-02-01T13:44:00.002-05:00

I came across this picture from Christmas Eve and had to laugh.

"Who's got one index finger and just wants to get back to the presents already...???"

On the topic of clothing...

2011-01-27T13:42:00.002-05:00

This is what happens when she's in control.

Oh, and Lucy: this is the only age where seeing your belly button through your shirt is cute. Don't say I never taught you anything.

Red Sox onesie. Purple tutu. Mickey sidekick. Waffle in mouth. Cute as a (belly) button.

Impervious!

2011-01-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the coldest day in Boston in SIX YEARS... But that didn't stop us. There was dance class, there were errands, and there was a severe hankering for Indian food.

Here's what she wore:
- diaper
- long-sleeve super warm onesie
- long-sleeve super thick cardigan
- leggings
- holiday themed leg warmers
- sweat pants
- socks
- sneakers
- warmest jacket
- fleece mittens
- gigantic knit penguin on head
- bink (for lip protection)

I think she was the only one sweating in the -30 degrees or whatever it was.

(Finally!) Christmas wrap-up

2011-01-19T14:48:00.005-05:00

Having little Lucy around has made me nostalgic of all of those Christmases as a kid, when I was so excited to get my stocking and see what was under the tree, see if our cookies were enjoyed, and try to assess which of the three of us was the best all year. (It was always my little sister.)

I have been enjoying all the nostalgia a baby brings since little Lu was born. Especially around the holidays... but I didn't expect that having Lucy around would make being Santa so much more fun than receiving him way back when. I was giddier this Christmas than I could ever remember.

As per usual, Lucy celebrated the holiday x10. First, Christmas Eve in New York. Which might as well have been Christmas day, since Santa kindly left her a full sleigh load a day early... including an easel, crayons, and fantastic hats. Santa must have been paying attention to Lucy's love for penguins!

Crayons. Cousins. Cute little hats.

Our tuckered-out and smiling girl fell right asleep when we hopped in the car and headed back home that night! We couldn't miss Christmas morning in our own home with presents under Lucy's Christmas tree! Santa struck again...

(She wanted to play with each toy instead of open the rest, so it was almost 2011 before she had unwrapped everything under the tree.)

Then later Christmas day, we were off to see my side of the family outside of Boston... Lucy got to see not only my mom's side of the family, but also my dad's side later that day, which was a real treat since my grandmother is here from Tokyo. It might be accurate to say that our Christmas spirit can be measured in penguins. I believe we have more penguins than the southern hemisphere. And Lucy could not be happier!

Much love to everyone who made this Christmas so special! Especially you, little penguin lover.

Introduction to Play-Doh

2011-01-07T14:20:00.002-05:00

Oh man am I slow to crawl back from my holiday vacation from the Internets. Let's just say that Lucy's overwhelming validation that she was indeed good all year is keeping us very busy. Today's vice? Play-Doh.

And just to keep in good graces with Mr. Claus, the whole time she was playing with it, she kept saying: "THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

Pssssst!

2010-12-30T00:27:00.004-05:00

Hi there! I am off the grid, lost in holiday world somewhere between the Candy Cane Forest and Auld Lang Syne, hanging onto the tail end of golden birthday. You can rest assured I'll be back soon to assault you with way too many pictures of a little girl in Christmas jammies tearing up wrapping paper and trying to figure out what's the catch to this whole Santa Claus thing.

In the meantime... I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Super duper merry everything, internet friends.

Snow and ruffles

2010-12-21T07:17:00.002-05:00

We had our first snow here in Boston yesterday! And as it's getting colder, Lucy is warming up to her dance class bit by bit. (Notice she's not standing on my head in any of the photos.) There were actually smiles and participation on her part. We downloaded some of the songs they use in class so Lucy can practice at home. I think the familiarity is working! Not to mention she loves wearing and saying the word "tutu".

Inside the asylum

2010-12-13T12:03:00.002-05:00

You know, I never thought to tell her that she shouldn't hug a bunch of markers without the caps on.

Maybe if my hair looks fantastic she won't notice...

THAT WON'T WORK. I LOOK LIKE I ATE A UNICORN.

OK fine. I lost control. I am a mess.

Nothing a team of terrycloth duckies can't fix!

The Great Getting Of The Christmas Tree

2010-12-08T13:52:00.005-05:00

A tradition I will always look forward to! Especially since this year it included hot apple cider, cinnamon-spiced cider donuts, a petting zoo, and of course, Santa-induced unease.

Merry holiday season!

Heading to the petting zoo.

(In fact I prefer to be carried.)

Pheasants!

And deer!

Waiting for Santa with Dada.

DO NOT WANT!

Stress eating cider donuts.

Nat, awaiting tree approval from the boss.

Approved!

Homeward bound

Mission complete!

Dance class: brought to you by VELCRO®

2010-12-01T14:49:00.001-05:00

Monday was Lucy's 2nd dance class; her 3rd visit including the trial. She was slightly less Velcro this time. SLIGHTLY.

Although most of the class was spent like this:

And like this:
( ⇽ everyone else is over there)

We did have some fun thanks to some very tempting props.

The best is when she comes home and does the whole dance routine for Nat, start to finish and smiling, as if she is the top of her class. Meanwhile her shoes have barely touched the dance floor!

Next week we'll be working on smiles instead of a look of complete horror.

Thankful

2010-11-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

Lucky, lucky mom am I that I get to be thankful every single day. Mainly for this little turkey I get to spend the days with. She cooks a mean measuring-cup-full-of-cheerios-stirred-with-a-pen.

Hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Baptized!

2010-11-24T16:38:00.005-05:00

Totally unintentionally, Lucy was almost 17-months old when she was baptized last week, which meant she was definitely the oldest of the six babies in her group.

Which meant she was also the only one who could talk.

Nat and I had bet against her behaving since the mass and baptism were exactly the same time as her nap, but she proved us wrong except for when she started saying loudly "Dada is CUCKOO!! Dada is CUCKOO!" and then started asking for her favorite show, Pingu.

Then the little one fell asleep and almost, ALMOST was completely unaware that she was being baptized, until she was woken up by water pouring onto her hair and even then cried only a little given the rude awakening.

Since she loves being the center of attention, the rest of the day was a blast. We had all kinds of family and friends over for a party afterward, and since the Jets were playing and a lot of our family and friends are from New York, there was lots of cheering. Lucy, of course, thought the cheering was for her and would stand on a chair and cheer and wave and thank them for their applause.

I don't think our girl could have had more fun.

Insert sound of whining

2010-11-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

Sick again. Bleeeeeeeeeehhh. Wasn't I just sick? We had a busy weekend with about 40 friends and relatives for Lucy's baptism and I think 3 days of running around and entertaining (and germ sharing?) and little sleeping did us in. I'll tell you more about the baptism as soon as I can peel myself off this couch.

Don't worry about Lucy. Nick Jr. is babysitting.

Tues and Weds, Lucy and I accompanied Nat on a business trip to NYC where we quickly realized we had gotten terrible colds. Lucy's seems to have cleared up, but today is the worst for me. No voice. Swollen throat that feels full of shards of glass. Head in fog.

So I'm going to leave you with these pictures of Lucy out at a Japanese restaurant in NYC. Then I'm going to go lie face down on the floor. Goodbye.

DUN DUN DUN!

2010-11-12T15:20:00.002-05:00

We are jumping the gun a little bit here, but the girl is capable of asking a babysitter for a diaper change so the real thing can't be too far off. No real expectations yet; we're just trying to get the two acquainted.

(To be honest, I'm not too keen on potty training just yet. It will surely result in a lot more work for me and diaper changes are such a cinch.)

I first introduced Lucy to the potty right before bath time. She was already naked, so I figured I'd tell her what it is and let her sit on it. She IMMEDIATELY hopped right off and hugged me while fake crying, so I agreed we'd try it out another time.

On to bath time, Lucy's favorite. I put her in the tub and before I could even turn on the water and hand her the toys...

"Pee peeee!" Of course she peed in the tub, called it by name, and pointed to the pee on its way down the drain.

IN YO' FACE MAMA.

Photo booth

2010-11-10T14:37:00.003-05:00

These legs were made for dancing.

2010-11-08T14:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. We are fresh off a nice relaxing weekend at the Cape! Very nice spending time with my mom, having date-night with Nat, and - here's the kicker - not throwing up the whole time like I did last time I was there.

This morning, Lucy and I were up bright and early for her very first dance class! (We must not let her serious skills go to waste.) I am so excited. Today was just a trial, and the activities were perfect for her age. She was a total velcro-baby this time, but she'll come around as she always does. I don't mind that the girl has stranger danger at first.

Funny story: At one point she forgot that she was being shy and started picking up the rubber stars on the floor that the girls march on. This led other girls to pick up the stars. She hasn't even started her session yet and she's already leading the class in mischief. I smell detention in someone's future...

We hit up the dance store on our way out and got her some ballet shoes, a leotard, and tights today. We'll be picking up the tutu next. FAIR WARNING: EXPECT PICTURE OVERLOAD ONCE THIS CLASS BEGINS.

*** Since Lucy's little baby legs melt my heart in this photo, I entered it into Paper Mama's B&W photo challenge. Cross your fingers!

Babies beware

2010-11-03T13:46:00.001-04:00

I think my little girl has a mean streak.

Lucy: UH OH! UH OH! *shake shake*

Halloween!

2010-11-02T15:37:00.004-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Halloween!

I know a lot of people hate it, but I have always loved Halloween. I have so many great memories of my whole family planning costumes, and most of mine were made by either my mom (sewn, like when I was Minnie Mouse) or my dad (like when I was a glasses/braces rabbit jumping out of a giant cardboard hat. Sorry, no picture. I was not cool.)

And then I got older and thought I had not yet embarrassed myself enough.

Somehow though, Halloween is even more fun with this little girl I have here.

Last year Lucy was the cutest little unknowing bumblebee, completely clueless that this day might be any different from any other. This year however, she was fully aware of her costume and spent the whole day walking around with an over-exaggerated waddle saying "wa- wa- wa-" (waddle, waddle). My only regret is that I didn't have a little stuffed sardine for her to carry around.

We went with penguin because she is absolutely scream-at-the-top-of-her-lungs enamored by the penguins at the Aquarium.

Lu's buddy Andrew, the Lion. Everyone is smiling and looking at the camera!
A Halloween miracle!

The Butt Shot

2010-10-29T19:44:00.004-04:00

I believe it is my parental right (and possibly even my duty) to flaunt this scrumptious bum.

Oh yea! I have a blog!

2010-10-26T21:59:00.002-04:00

I have been off the grid lately for a good reason, you guys. I have been super sick. I don't know if it was food poisoning or a stomach bug or some kind of Alien vs. Predator situation happening in my guts, but I was vomiting for 4 days.

I know what you're thinking. I'm not pregnant.

I went to the Cape with my mom and Lucy on Tuesday, went out for lunch, food shopping, then out to dinner together, ready for a nice 3-day relaxing mini-vaca. But Tuesday night about an hour after I went to bed, I woke up with stomach pain and the barfies which lasted until morning. I didn't sleep a wink. (I admit, at first I was like OH COME ON, ONE OF 'EM'S GOTTA BE ON PURPOSE! but the high fever and zero appetite proved it was just some kind of bug.)

I felt guilty that I ruined the vacation since instead of eating and shopping and walking and reading and having wine by the fire, I spent the whole vacation with my head in the toilet. However, I truly don't know what I would have done had this happened without my mom around. Lucy barely noticed I was gone since Nanny Sue took her on so many adventures. And on top of it, my mom managed to take care of me, too. Amazing, moms are.

Seriously mom, you saved the day.

Thank goodness things are back to normal and Lucy didn't catch what I had.

Lucy exploring at the Cape. Mama who?

Photophilia

2010-10-18T12:33:00.000-04:00

I hope you had a nice weekend! We are loving this weather here in Boston. The foliage is so pretty and Lucy is so adorable bundled up in warmer clothes. I find myself taking even more pictures than usual, except I have no idea what to do with them. I literally have THOUSANDS. And since I'm incapable of deleting them, do any of you have any creative ideas of how to store and/or display? I don't want our apartment to look like a Lucy shrine (it's borderline), and right now all of the photos are sitting in iPhoto creating a time warp where I get lost looking back at her former teeny-tinyness.

I'm considering making a book using Blurb, but haven't quite dedicated the time to figuring that out yet. What's a mom to do to organize her obsessive sentiment? Besides clobber you over the head with photos, of course.

It's that time of year...

2010-10-15T23:38:00.003-04:00

My annual mulletting!

Mullet Girl, circa 2005.

Back story: I have pretty much had a mullet since I have had control over my hairstyle. My mullet's heyday was in college and the few years after. I didn't realize I had a mullet... But there I was, fresh from the salon, stone sober waiting in line at a bar to meet up with friends. There's a large group in front of me, and a large group behind me in line. I asked the bouncer if I could just squeeze in since I'm all alone here and there are my friends *WAVE!* already inside. He told me to wait a moment and he'll see what he can do.

Enter life-altering under age drunk girl behind me.

Girl: OHHHH. MULLET GIRL IS TOO COOL TO WAIT IN LINE. MULLET GIRL NEEDS TO GET IN FIRST.

Oh god. I know not what to do. Do I have a mullet? Let's see. Yes. Yes, this is a mullet. I have no choice but to clutch my hair in sober realization and take this abuse in fear that if I turn around some sort of "business in the front" comment will finish me.

It's ironic because it's been way too long since I've had my hair cut, and I have a mullet now more than ever. Because after all my hair fell out postpartum, it's now growing in all at the same rate... so under my too-long hair, I have a full head of 2 inch hair growing in. Essentially a men's haircut under a woman's haircut. = mullet. Unfortunately it is not currently possible to conceal my Lloyd Christmas bangs.

Very excited to get many inches chopped tomorrow morning. Anything is an improvement, friends.

Breaking it down

2010-10-13T14:38:00.002-04:00

There were some other things I was going to blog about, but this definitely trumps anything I have to say.

Her name is Lucy. She likes to dance.

A special message.

2010-10-10T11:40:00.000-04:00

The weather report

2010-10-06T16:01:00.006-04:00

Somewhere, an old man snores.

Lu and Nan

2010-10-04T12:12:00.001-04:00

The hardworking hubs was at it again with home projects this weekend, painting the ceiling in our kitchen that had been bare wood up until now. So that meant that Lucy and I moved out for the weekend and got to stay with one of Lucy's favorite people in the world - my mom. Lu is trying so hard to say "Nanny" (so far Nana or Nan).

Making herself comfortable at Nanny's.

I love how excited Lucy gets at the mention of Nanny Sue. Literally at the mention of her name, Lucy starts looking around trying to find where she is. And maybe it's a grandmother thing, but I love how my mom is so relaxed around Lucy. Lu gets into everything, empties every drawer, makes an epic mess, and my mom just gets anything dangerous out of the way and lets Lucy explore.

Meanwhile I'm breaking out in hives as Lucy pulls her socks off and puts her feet in every pot and pan. LUCY THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AT HOME. MOMMY IS UPTIGHT.

Hats, coats, sneakers.

2010-09-30T23:26:00.001-04:00

We have emerged from our terrible colds! Nat's finger is less scary! We've actually been OK for a few days now, and it seems that during those few days we were holed up on a pile of tissues and cough drop wrappers, summer snuck out the back door.

I love fall. The weather, the cooking, the sweaters and boots, the exciting back-to-school nostalgia and that feeling of a cycle that will probably always make me love fall the most. But the pessimist in me can't fully enjoy it because fall is kind of like Sunday night... there's that nagging feeling that the worst is right around the corner.

What I mean by that is that winter in Boston is a cold version of hell. Once the snow comes I will lock myself in this apartment and come May I will look like the rapper Joaquin Phoenix.

Anyway, we were lucky enough to squeeze in one last weekend at the Cape before the fall. And I'm hoping for another weekend or two before it gets too cold... Nothing wrong with bundling up a little for the beach.

OK this whole blog post was basically just an excuse for me to post pictures of Lucy in her adorable Bad Hair Day hat.

Is this mean?

2010-09-28T15:09:00.000-04:00

Strange night

2010-09-22T15:37:00.003-04:00

Sunday, Lucy woke up with sniffles. Monday, I started feeling it too. By Tuesday night, we were both sick. Nat was the last man standing.

Then before we went to bed last night, Nat slammed his finger in the balcony door. Which he attempted to tough out, but by 3 a.m. he still hadn't slept a wink and his finger was twice the size as it was before the incident. So he went to the doctor so they could puncture the nail to release the pressure and tell him he had chipped the bone. None of us really slept... Nat at the doctor, me sick....

And then there was Lucy, in great spirits, awake in her crib, doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider quietly alone.

?!?!?!

Pop quiz

2010-09-17T10:54:00.000-04:00

This questioning is really getting in the way of my toe sniffing.

Propaganda

2010-09-16T10:15:00.001-04:00

You WILL like brushing your teeth...

It's like middle school all over again.

2010-09-14T18:28:00.000-04:00

I need friends. (With kids, that is.)

We have met a lot of nice moms/babies at Lucy's playgroups (and started a new one this week in a new neighborhood, so we'll see?), but so far there have been a lot of nannies and a lot of moms that for some reason we haven't jived with enough that I could see us getting together outside of the playgroups. WHERE ARE THE OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME??? Oh yea, they don't have kids.

So now when I'm cruising for moms at the playground, it's more like we are onlookers to other moms and kids, and I'm on the sidelines palms sweating, checking to make sure I don't have any sandwich in my teeth, smoke coming out of my head while my brain burns trying to think of a witty opening line to ensure that we'll all be friends for life.

Here's hoping all of your birth control fails and you'll be joining my circle soon. Heh.

I love it when I catch her doing weird things.

2010-09-10T14:12:00.000-04:00

That would be her dolls. Limply strewn in the dishwasher.

That would be my daughter's evil grin. Sneering at their helplessness and doom.

Happy Friday.

Her highness' throne

2010-09-08T14:02:00.000-04:00

I think Lucy has been feeling a little small in our loft with everything oversized... 16' ceilings, king sized bed, table that seats 10. She's been obsessed with sitting in chairs lately, and all I can think is that I'm living with Edith Ann.

She has really been in need of a Lucy-sized chair... So we ordered her highness a throne, and the girl can't get enough! It's very cute. Pottery Barn Kids to the rescue.

Dos!

2010-09-06T00:55:00.002-04:00

Only with you could the past two years have been so everything. Exhilarating, surprising, emotional, calming, side-splitting laugh inducing, and most certainly the very best.

Thank you for constantly proving that two years ago today, I made the best decision of my life.

No thank you for making me the cheesiest of all cheese balls.

Happy 2nd anniversary, Nat! I love you to smithereens.

Our week in pictures

2010-09-03T21:22:00.000-04:00

We started off last weekend with a little Blue's Clues...

Then headed to my uncle's house on a farm for family time and a big farm fresh meal. This is the same place we took her photo for her Christmas card! Beautiful scenery, rolling hills, and sunsets.

Then Lucy and I went down the Cape with my mom, where Lucy exemplified attitude and rainbow stripes. She was all smiles, except for when I broke out the camera. ENOUGH MOM.

And the best part? Nat is taking a few days off from work, so the last few days were spent lazy-like strolling the marina with my sun kissed loves.

Did I say lazy-like? I meant doing more work in the apartment... This week's project is building some storage space upstairs where there was none. Will post pics.

Fun and Germ Transfer

2010-08-27T11:11:00.006-04:00

One great thing about being CHO is that I get the opportunity to take Lucy to all kinds of classes. Classes we can commit to! Not like her Saturday morning swim class which we only went to three times, since we are always away on the weekend, and occasionally when we are here, we aren't in good shape to swim since Mommy had too much apple juice the night before. That only happened ~~twice~~ once.

So since I've been home, Lucy has started two classes: Little Movers (like toddler gymnastics) and Creative Playspace, where the program opens up all the play areas for 90 minutes of unstructured playtime. Lucy loves that one.

She started off as kind of a lone wolf...

But then she added more wolves to the wolf pack.

Another habit she has is carrying around the little plastic wine glass from the play kitchen. No idea where she learned that from.

Lucy is LOVING her new classes and friends, and I'm excited to register her for more classes to keep us busy in the fall/winter. The only downfall is that now Lucy is exposed to a lot more germs. Poor small one woke up yesterday with a runny nose and it became a full head cold by the end of the day. We cancelled our play date for today, and will be taking it easy so the little one will be feeling good for the weekend. This means toys, walks, movies, and lots of nose-wiping and cuddling with my little sickie.

Happy Friday!

Indoor day

2010-08-24T09:09:00.001-04:00

We're stuck in the middle of a string of cool and rainy days here in Boston, which reminds me how quickly summer ends. Missing last week when we spent hot afternoons running around in the grass!

Guilt and a gut

2010-08-23T10:32:00.003-04:00

Finally, 13 months after Lucy was born, I have decided that it's time for me to start going back to the gym. I haven't been since I was engaged, and have ZERO excuses. Especially because there's a gym right across the street (how easy could it get?), so I stopped in and discover that they have a babysitting service for members... Perfect!

Lucy and I spent some time there to get to know the staff and see how we like it before signing up. Most of the kids (never more than a few at a time) are within a couple of months of Lucy's age. In fact, when we were there, there were 3 girls between 11 and 16 months that were sitting at a little kiddie table, having snacks and juice and playing with toys. Lucy was so excited to play with the toys and after about 20 minutes, we gave the babysitting a thumbs up.

So although I'm optimistic and think it's a good thing for Lucy to have SOME time away from me in a safe place, I'm a little nervous about the adjustment since she currently is with me pretty much all the time. Certainly with either me or Nat or with a family member like my mom, Lucy-sitter extraordinaire.

So Monday, we start. Lucy is the only kid there (I got there very early) and I left her with snacks, a sippy, a big hug and kiss, and headed on up to the gym. The rule for sad babies is if they cry for 10 mins, they'll come get me - but as I leave I turn around and Lucy is already into the toys, no tears. Yay Lu! I positioned myself on a machine facing the door so I could see if they come up to get me, turn up my ipod (C&C Music Factory? Wow, it really has been a long time since I've gone to the gym...) and every time someone walks through the door my heart stops, and sure enough, it's just another gym-goer. Ten minutes pass and I think I'm in the clear! Good for Lucy! I feel the endorphins going and I'm getting that great work-out feeling, so proud of my little girl. Then at 12 minutes, I see the head babysitter walk through the door and give me a wave. Uh oh.

Poor Lucy was red faced and crying, but the very second I pick her up, she stops crying and starts talking about her crackers. I'm a little disheartened - because a) Lucy spent the past 12 minutes crying and nervous about being left without me, and b) Operation Get In Shape has come to a screeching halt.

Tuesday, we try again and came a little later in the morning. The three 1-year old girls are there, so Lucy stayed happily for a whole hour with her new buddies. Time to start stalking their moms to find out what times the girls will be there (answer: during yoga, of course).

Wednesday - no girls, and 12 minutes in I get the wave. Then Friday - another successful day. So that's 2 successes and 2 fails. This week we'll continue this trial to see if it's going to work. My mind tells me that it's good for both of us to have a little time apart when she's with other kids in a safe place for a short period of time. I'm so proud of her on the days she shares dolls and games with the other girls, but my heart aches on the days that she cries. Poor little munchkin. We take some classes together at a toddler program, Little Movers and Creative Playspace, and a few minutes in she wants nothing to do with me and everything to do with the other kids, so hopefully as we take more classes she will be able to translate that independence to the times when she's not right at my side.

In the meantime though, we will keep trying with babysitting - wish us luck!

Practice, practice.

2010-08-18T11:15:00.006-04:00

Lucy is in the process of learning The Itsy Bitsy Spider... not quite there yet - as you can see she added some moves that are from her version of the Fist Pumping Squatting Spider. But cute nonetheless!

My baby > your bunny

2010-08-16T15:27:00.006-04:00

So we have started The Great Toddler-proofing Project since we have decided that we're not moving. Downstairs is in pretty good shape - Lucy can run around with out any dangers... Except she's been really drawn to the cable box and wires under the TV. So we had the cable jacks and outlets moved behind the TV and installed a shelf above it. No wire danger, and more importantly no changing the channel while I'm watching Kardashians. TA DA! Well, well. Look who can't reach anything now!

An electrician had to come help us out with this one, and while he was here for about 5 hours we made a little conversation. Mostly about babies since Lucy was watching his every move, and one thing led to another and I said something about how a baby changes everything. And then he said something about how he totally understands, it's just like his little Bunny. And I'm like aw, he calls his granddaughter Bunny. So I opened up and we talked more, and everything I said about Lucy, he agreed, the same with Bunny. What an adorable grandfather!

But as it turns out, he's actually talking about HIS PET BUNNY RABBIT (animal). That's right, he's likening my life-changing human being of my own flesh and blood to his hairball that craps on sawdust and probably has rabies. (No offense to the bunny - I'm sure it is really nice.)

But this happens all the time. People will ask about my daughter and liken her to their pet. While I mean no disrespect to dogs, bunnies, sea monkeys, or otherwise, I'm pretty sure it's kinda different. I don't see a similar pet-moment to looking down at an EPT and realizing that everything in your life, your priorities, your everything, forever, is going to change, feeling that wave of hormones that makes you from that moment on a warrior for the safety of that new life, the first time you feel her moving inside you, kicking, hiccuping, sleeping, and upon meeting this tiny baby realizing that every feature and every action, be it nature or nurture, is actually a PART of you, and you are part of her, and you see yourself and your husband, and your parents, and generations of your family in this new life (I think that is a run on sentence?)

But perhaps there is something about bunnies that I'm missing. For example, my friend who was on Match.com was contacted by a seemingly normal man EXCEPT HIS PROFILE PICTURE WAS THIS:

Maybe he's a kind animal lover, or maybe he's seeking an open-minded female who wouldn't mind dressing as a carrot.

During dinner nap

2010-08-13T19:23:00.000-04:00

Poor little small one skipped her afternoon nap and next thing I know, her head is down on her high chair tray, eyes closed, sleeping amidst chicken, wheat bread, and cheese. So we moved this operation to the couch for some cuddle time.

#1 on the list of things that melt my heart.

Lucy's new kicks

2010-08-09T12:31:00.001-04:00

Now all she needs is a pair of white gloves and she's officially a California Raisin.

Happy birthday, Nat!

2010-08-05T10:39:00.004-04:00

Keeping up with the tradition, Lucy has donned her favorite dress in celebration of her Daddy's birthday. And this year, she is limbering up for a full night of partying.

Did I hear someone say babysitter? Because I'm ready to party, yo!

Decoy toothbrush: FAIL.

2010-08-02T11:42:00.001-04:00

Alright moms, I am calling on your experience here.

Lucy's 8th tooth just popped up, and up until recently I've only been "brushing" them with a damp wash cloth at bath time, which she doesn't mind (the girl does not mind an opportunity to bite her mommy). I have 2 baby tooth brushes and some baby toothpaste, but have not been eager to start this new twice-daily routine, because I imagine the experience to be not unlike trying to cut the toenails of a volatile and tantrum throwing hyena.

So the other day we were watching something on Nick Jr. and a cartoon segment came on about the Ugly Teeth Monsters that make your mouth hurty if you don't brush with a TOOTHBRUSH and TOOTHPASTE. She looked at me like SAY WHAT? And then a 1-ton guilt anvil fell on my head, and now I exist as a flattened version of myself with little birdies flying around my head.

So the next morning, I whipped out the baby tooth brushes. One decoy for her to play with, and one business toothbrush with toothpaste. First I started brushing my teeth with my tooth brush at Lucy's eye level, and she was belly laughing like this was the best slapstick she's ever seen. So then, I take her hand and put it on my tooth brush and let her brush my teeth. Hilarious, thinks she! This just might work! And then I hand over her tooth brush. And she starts smiling at me and brushing her hair with it.

I was a little embarrassed for her. That wasn't the smartest.

So I take the business toothbrush and start to brush her teeth, and she squirms and somehow screams a blood curdling open-mouthed scream with her jaw locked shut (so really I'm just brushing her face. Unsuccessful.) After a few days of face-brushing, I pick up a finger toothbrush thinking it would be easier to maneuver, and the successful use of this results in about 30 minutes of screaming and crying.

So I'm not sure where to go from here. I refuse to hold her head down while she screams and force a toothbrush into her mouth, but she eats pretty much everything so I can't let her fall victim to the Ugly Teeth Monsters. HOW DO I DO THIS??? I am going to try distraction (brushing while she's watching Sesame Street) but beyond that I'm just not sure what to do next. I'm open to anything - even if you tell me to dress as a giant tooth fairy and hang from a harness attached to the ceiling - I'd probably try.

THIS JUST IN!

2010-07-31T10:15:00.005-04:00

All of your Saturday morning headlines in one place.

Lucy In Swing No. 18739250

2010-07-27T17:21:00.004-04:00

Alright I know I post a lot of pictures of my baby in sunglasses, and I know I post a lot of pictures of her on a swing, but I can't help it. Wait until I finally post a picture of my baby IN A SWING... WITH SUNGLASSES! Aaaaahh!

Nat and Lucy went to the park for a little baby/dada time when we were finally back from Martha's Vineyard, and he was finally back from Mexico (for work). And I got this great picture for my Lucy-In-Sunglasses-Or-On-A-Swing collection.

SWOON!

Yes I realize I have a problem with excessive pictures.

2010-07-26T15:04:00.003-04:00

If I were to look at the percentage of time I have spent in Boston this month, it would be SO SMALL. So I am happy to be back in Boston... Although our jaunt to Martha's Vineyard and the Cape was fun.

Lucy has this new thing where she wakes up at 4:30 a.m. and will only go back to sleep if she's cuddling up in my bed. Although I must admit I kind of love it, I know it's not a good habit and keep trying to get her to sleep in her room. It was kind of impossible in MV though, since her Pack N Play was set up right next to my bed. So we indulged. She didn't start babbling at full volume and waking up the others until, oh, about 7:30. COME ON GUYS! THAT'S LATE FOR US!

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the sun, walking around lovely shops, and outings to an alpaca farm and a little aquarium, where Lucy got so excited I thought she was going to fly through the roof. Then before we hopped on the ferry to the Cape, Lucy and I had lunch together, just the two of us at a little cafe on the water. It was so nice. I imagine this happening in later years, but with wine and no BYO goldfish crackers, and maybe only minimal trying of new foods and spitting it on the table when we don't like it.

Beach Baby

2010-07-23T09:21:00.000-04:00

I wouldn't mind another week or two here on Martha's Vineyard. (I don't think Lucy would oppose either.)

Blah blah blah... and a bum!

2010-07-21T21:57:00.003-04:00

So I wrote this whole blog post today about how ** WE'RE STAYING IN BOSTON ** (horray!) and the story about why, and why we're happy about it, and the downside being that I won't be living close to my sister who I was giddy about cooking and drinking wine with on a whim, not to mention having Auntie Kristen so close to little Lu. But mainly, we're going back to our original plan. Sell when selling is right and BUYING versus being remote landlords and tenants once again.

And then a couple hours after posting this heartfelt, hilarious, witty, and fun but informative post (you'll just have to take my word for it!), I took it down since I just found out we might have a little bit of a sticky situation with our would-be tenants. So maybe I'll elaborate someday, or maybe I'll just be paying for a significant amount of furniture that somebody bought before the rental agreement was complete. ZING.

But my point is that we are staying in Boston! And our extreme appreciation for the size, comfort, and amenities of our place has been renewed. I've been hugging our washer/dryer over here. And doing the worm in our parking space. And breakdancing on the roofdeck. And flirting with the elevator. And winking at our new appliances. And thanking my lucky stars for our significant square footage. I could go on. It's a love fest in this Bra Factory.

... Even though I feel like I don't spend much time here anymore! Tomorrow I'm off to Martha's Vineyard and the Cape for a few days. I will do my best to post a daily picture of little Lucy tearing it up at the beach. Because what's cuter than a curly-haired gap-toothed girl in a baby bathingsuit?

HER BUM. THAT'S WHAT.

Workin' for the weekend

2010-07-18T12:31:00.003-04:00

OK, OK. I don't work. But I still love the weekend, because Nat and I get to take our little John C. Reilly look-alike to the beach.

My favorite part of the day had something to do with wayfarers and peach frozen yogurt!

Uncle Frank The Builder and Aunt Lari were in town from NY for the Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Competition! Frank has won a sand sculpting competition or two, and we're currently trying to think of the best sand pun stage name for him. So far we like "Sandy Warhol" and "Sanstruction". Please delight me with your sand puns. (Seriously, I love puns.)

All the inSANDity:

A day at the beach

2010-07-14T00:57:00.008-04:00

Putting the apartment situation aside for a moment...

Lucy and I decided to take advantage of the fact that neither of us works a 9-5 and spent a couple days on the Cape with my mom and grandmother. That's right - four generations of Massholes!

Even when I lived on the west coast, we'd come back in summer and head down the Cape. Soon enough we'll be bringing Lucy in on the traditions - like ice cream at Sundae School, go karts, and breakfast on Chapin beach. This time though, it was a whole heck of a lot of boutiques and restaurants. But I did get her a Cape Cod hoodie at Cuffy's and effectively removed the letter R from her few words. Next up: a Red Sox game and introduction of the word "wicked". How do you like them apples!

The great debate

2010-07-09T16:41:00.001-04:00

Nat and I have been having the discussion: Do we rent an apartment in Brooklyn, or do we look at HOUSES in the SUBURBS?

You can probably tell which side of the fence I fall on given the superfluous use of capslock. I have been living in a city for the past 10 years and have since had a complex with living outside of an urban area, for both practical and impractical reasons (which I won't get into here, but let me assure you that some of them are pretty dumb). But my point is, I love city living.

However, there is something about having a baby that makes you nostalgic of your own childhood. I grew up in a house with a yard 20 minutes outside of Seattle, so although we weren't in the city, we could go in any time for a Mariner's game, to the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, or to the Aquarium. And now that we're moving and Lucy is no longer an infant, something in me wants to emulate that great neighborhood I grew up in, where we could see the mountains from our windows and had psychadelic sunsets every night, where it rarely snowed, and summers were so warm and clear (and bugless) that we'd stay outside with the other neighborhood kids trying to identify constellations (I told you I was a nerd) until the streetlamps came on.

But there I go getting nostalgic - we won't be moving to the west coast - that's not the point. The point is the suburban neighborhood and how nice and safe and full of kids it was. I am torn between having all the perks of city living (for myself) food, culture, access to everything VERSUS the comfort of having enough space for all of our things, our own laundry, and a neighborhood for little Louie Lu.

Off to see more places tomorrow, so hopefully we will know soon! What do you think for your little ones? City or 'burbs?

Someone is eager

2010-07-06T14:53:00.001-04:00

We just got back from a week in New York for family time, work (Nat), the holiday, Lucy's final first birthday party, and apartment hunting. And we realized - we have no idea where we want to live. We've narrowed it down to, oh about 10 towns, including NYC, Brooklyn, and various spots on Long Island. We've got our work cut out for us! Yes, we'll be busy and basically living in New York looking for apartments until we live in New York.

As we were packing up our bags before going to Long Island, someone heard "pack"...

I think you jumped the gun on that one just a little bit, Lucy.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T12:34:00.003-04:00

Hope you are all having a lovely holiday! I'm in NY with the hubs and the babe. She is having her 4th bday celebration with her NY relatives today. I'm having a hard time explaining that all this "Happy Fourth" and fireworks business is in regards to Independence Day and not her 4th party. Here's one girl without self-esteem issues.

Picture sent to me from my dad from Lucy celebration #2. Made me die a little inside. I love this girl.

So...

2010-06-29T07:30:00.000-04:00

After a few months of having our place on the market with no bites, we decided to open our apartment up for sale OR for rent. We have become somewhat laxidasical with the appearance of the apartment (it's exhausting to keep it show-clean with a 1-year old!) So we have been showing the apartment with toys everywhere, bottles in the sink... not really thinking that we'd get a bite.

And in walks a couple, check-in-hand, to be the new tennants of the Bra Factory!

THAT MEANS WE MOVIN' TO NEW YORK Y'ALL.

... IN. A. MONTH.

So tonight we head to Long Island for about a week to start the search! We were headed down anyway to see family and celebrate the 4th, but now we'll just squeeze in some time to see, oh, about 999 potential new places to live.

WE'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT EXCITED.

One year old

2010-06-23T10:15:00.006-04:00

Little Lucy!

Today you are ONE!

Every month I update with what you have learned and how you have grown (and boy, how you've learned and grown). But I neglect to mention how much you have caused us to learn and grow - your dad and I - and how in one ridiculously short year, you have given us so very very much.

At this very moment last year, we were about 30 minutes into meeting you. I was still being stitched up from the c-section, and your dad was holding you, whispering to you, and doing a little nervous dance around the room with a teeny tiny 6 1/2 lb you in his arms.

And just before heading off to work this morning, your dad scooped you up again for a little birthday dance, not realizing you had done this birthday dance before. It was too sweet. And you would have danced with him all day, but then you got tired and yawned, and rested your head on his shoulder. Of course I sped for the camera, because I love how you two are so smitten with each other. It makes me the happiest Mama. (And because I neglected to say it here: Happy *FIRST* Father's Day to my husband, Nat, who has proven to be even more of an amazing human being than I thought.)

Right now you are napping, with a fun day ahead. You tired yourself out this morning with all of your running around, and holding up your first finger to show us how old you are! I hope this first year has been as amazing to you as it has been for us. Lucy, we couldn't love you more. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY LOUISE!!

And now please enjoy one million photos from this morning. I CAN'T HELP IT.

Good morning! I'm ONE!

The face of a girl who knows it's her birthday. As you can see, she just did some jell-o shots.

One of her fav bday gifts she received this year. (Thanks C, R, S, & M!)

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, and a side of fresh blueberries and strawberries (for a girl whose favorite thing is - you guessed it - blueberries) time for the 1 year photo shoot!

Whoopsies!

2010-06-15T17:42:00.009-04:00

OMG how many posts can I start with "SORRY I HAVE NOT BEEN BLOGGING".

Add one! Today's excuse:

I don't know if it's a surprise to you, but it's a surprise to me that I WAS SO MUCH LESS BUSY AS GLOBAL EVENTS PROGRAM MANAGER (Full-time) THAN I CURRENTLY AM AS CHO (Full-time, day and night, 24/7, forevs, eternity, or until the end of the world).

For any of you that think I'm on a permanent vacation, let me tell you that the other day I turned my back for ONE SECOND to grab her stroller, and I turned around and she was 6 stairs up our death-trap-terrible-parenting staircase. This is while Nat was home, so even 2 against 1, she saw that brief window where we both blinked simultaneously while the stair gate was down (NEVER HAPPENS) and zipped right up. In socks. So apparently she's proficient in stair climbing and in inducing heart attacks.

The rest proceeded in slow motion.

Me: OH MY GOD. *while running to get her from downstairs*

Nat: OH MY GOD. *while running to get her from upstairs*

Lucy: I HAVE ALREADY CALLED CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES YOU FOOLS. THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW UP ANY SECOND AS I TUMBLE DOWN THE STAIRS.

... ugh. She didn't fall though - she was just kind of looking at us like LOOKIE! CLAP FOR ME, I JUST FIGURED OUT ANOTHER THING!

I made it to her first, grabbed her arm through the railing and brought her down the stairs (all the while, she's pissed that I'm not gloating about another accomplishment.) I look up at Nat and somehow in the frenzy he has DISLOCATED HIS ARM.

He's trying to reattach his arm and I'm holding on to Lucy, trying to figure out when our new baby cuddly quiet home turned into a three ring circus. Then Nat, both arms in place, took Lucy for a walk while I shook like a leaf for a half an hour.

So yea, gotta get back to her! Talk to you... soon???

Gooooood morning!

2010-06-09T10:27:00.002-04:00

A little flip book.

11 months old

2010-06-08T16:59:00.009-04:00

Holy mother. I just typed that. 11 months old. ELEVEN! WHAT THE ELMO IS GOING ON HERE.

Little Lucy.

You have somehow created a whirling time warp, one that has scooped us up with all the pieces of love and surprise and fun and cuddles and quiet moments we share as a family, ripped us all right off the ground and sent us all careening. I don’t know how you were born just a moment ago, and now all of a sudden we’re a few short weeks away from celebrating your first birthday.

The moment you turned 10 months you started walking, and now you are literally RUNNING around the apartment. Every choice you realize you can make for yourself, like where you want to go (and now you can walk there) or what you want to play with (you know where all your toys are and how to get/play with them) has you so eager to learn and achieve more. And the same with communication – the more you are able to communicate verbally and physically, the more you are eager to learn. It is unbelievable to watch you figure things out, learn words, and be your own little person! No doubt you are and will be the smartest girl I know.

Blueberries are still your favorite food. You have mastered the words “Mama”, “Dada”, “Pop pop” and woofing like a doggie, roaring like a lion, and sniffing like a bunny. But the other day we put you in your high chair and you blurted out “BLUEBERRIES” clear as day and we were all like WHAAAAAAAAAAAT. KEEPING THAT ONE IN YOUR BACK POCKET HUH? (Then we slept with one eye open that night because um, three syllables? THAT’S SCARY.)

You love reading books, and spend much of your time at home grabbing them from your toy box, placing them in our hands, plopping down on our laps, and carefully turning the pages while we read to you. Your favorite books are So Big! (baby Elmo), and anything with doggies or lions in it so you can make animal noises.

I love that you love to read. I think this is part of why you are so conversational. Even though you only have a handful of words, you show us that you know exactly what we’re saying by interacting and responding. I can’t wait until you have more words, and can bowl me over with what you have to say! Which I know will be soon…

Little Louie bear - we love you to smithereens! Happy 11 months!