I'm counting my blessings

I'm sitting in my car pumping breastmilk for my little munchkin who is still exclusively breastfed. Today is my weekend to cover for my group and papa is home by himself with both our children for over 2 hours. I have some anxiety but all is well thus far. In fact I checked in and none of our children's arms are missing. In fact the good thing about it is my husband gets a taste of what many take for granted- the mom. He sent me this awesome text message...

"Ndaa, don't know how you are able to coordinate all these with the kids.  Some times, it is stressful but I enjoy every minute with them. You are very good with them. You are a great mom any kid should hope for.  We love you and keep up the good work."

I wish I can leave it all and run home to celebrate mothers day- yes mothers day. But I've got to work till Monday.I'm with them as I take my breaks in between to pump, call home and hear him say " Ndaa when re u coming home"; baby girl screaming in excitement mama! When she hears my voice and my 4 month old cooing in the background. I'm counting my blessings...they make my hectic days feel like a piece of cake .

Beads

I saw Baby girl light up when she saw beads on a girls hair, so I went out and bought some beads and did this. Boy! Was she patient through it all and now that it is done, she is having a great time flipping it back and forth. The noise may get annoying after a while but it is nice to see her enjoy her hair. That is a picture of little man clocking 3 months old boo! How time flies. His sister is enjoying him more and more. :)

Working Mama

Hope you have all been well. So I am back to work and truthfully it was hard to come back, but as soon as I got in the groove of things  I realized very quickly that I do enjoy being a 'working mama'.  Yup! it makes me focus at work so that I can run home to my babies.  Yesterday I was due to pump so I had a nursing cover, and pumped while I drove home from work, and at the same time I was taking calls from the hospital staff on my earpiece.  We still eat home cooked meals in our house prepared mostly by me (phew! I was concerned about that). Anyways, when I arrived home baby girl topped it up by running to give me her biggest embrace with a loud "Mama! I luh u!"

It is amazing how much of a difference it is going from a mama of one to a mama of two, I am mastering giving both kids attention including my husband (work-in-progress); I feel like I am not as readily available to my friends and family; I've also felt that I have less time for myself but oddly enough it rarely bothers me; I've  felt like I have learned to exercise any and every time that I have with the children; I now feel that the time in the day is too short for me; I've cheated on several occasions on my children's bed time so that I can play with them; I've felt like my priorities have changed, and before I had no time for drama but now I do not tolerate or allow it at all; we always have guests at my house (b-day, baby shower, birth ....) so I am increasingly enjoying hosting; I have less time to exercise (open to tips).

My phone and is planning skills has become one of my best pals, if that appointment is not on my phone I forget it all together;  I have had less time for blogging; or even writing in my children's journal;  Baby girl has also taught me a lot of patience and I am teaching her about boundaries ; she is a 2 year old that came with the package deal- by that I mean all of the challenges that comes with discipline.

Cheers to you all! And I will come back soon.

New Baby, New Challenges...meet Little Brother

Maternity :)

This pregnancy has not been easy.  In fact it has been more difficult because papa has been gone a lot and taking care of an active toddler alone with a belle has proven to be quite a challege.  We've managed and conquered however; also baby girl is starting to comprehend and is proven to be quite helpful (when given direction).  She is still all over the place though.

We were able to go on vacation/baby moon to disney world in Orlando and Kennedy Space Center.  We rented a homely apartment for a week and that worked better than a hotel.  My parents watched her for a day so that we could go out. It was very nice not worrying about work and waking up to the warmth of your loved ones.

We shot our maternity shot and had a swell time, .... that was after baby decided to tone down her tantrum.  We still are awaiting our surprise but we are closely counting down.  We really are blessed and amazed that very soon we will be the mama's and papa's of two and baby girl will be a big sister. Here re some maternity pics- I can't post 'em all.

Hair at our house

Hair is such a dreaded event at our house.  Mama has that thick hair and baby girl's hair seems to be headed towards that direction.  These days I am more creative with baby girl's hair but have little to no creativity when it comes to mine. Partly because I am pregnant and tired.

I asked God not to give me all girls mostly because I visited my cousin who has 3 girls with a lot of hair and that my friends terrified me.  Baby is as tender headed as me and so we often do things that must last 2 weeks and if more great.  Below are some of baby's hair growth over 9 months.

08/2012

I have mostly used Yarn to Braid her hair

We use satin caps in our house

Twist out

Christmas day

Sometimes we leave it alone (but rarely)



2 ponytails (2/2013)



Most recent hair- with African thread and it has lasted the longest

Me with my hair straightened 12/2012 - one year natural

I mostly just do twists and twist out, my hair is usually not as creative.

Keeping It All Together

I am open to ideas to keeping it all together.  Lately I feel like I am always trying to get it together.  I am expecting baby #2 in like a few months and my house does not even look like there is much anticipation.  Yep! there is still a baby who is pretty much attached to her crib, still wears diapers hence she still uses the diaper hamper ...Basically, our nursery is occupied by a baby who has the right to still be there lol. I remembered this time when I was pregnant with my baby girl I was doing laundry and putting them away in the nursery.

We have no idea if hubby will be here or not; since he received orders to be posted to the Islands and wee! I can't help thinking what if they don't find him anywhere close to home what will I do with two children all by myself.  I have been single lately with his multiple short sea trips for week long sometimes arghhhhh!!!!! (allow me to scream)The crazy thing is my daughter looks at me like mama has all the answers but little does she know I am screaming inside.

Oh yeah just like baby girl, we chose to make this baby's sex a surprise and way before mid second trimester the last pregnancy, I had landed a guy and girls name- don't even ask me what this baby's name will be because I sure enough don't know.  Sometimes my husband catches me reassuring him or her not to worry, that mama will have it all together by his/her arrival and if I don't we will wing it.
Yesterday, we had to install the baby's car seat and so Mmeso has to be faced forward (tear drop); (I highly recommend that you wait till 2 years old but in our case Mmeso will not be quite 2 before the little lad or lady shows up) she did ok during our ride this morning but we could tell she was a little dazed by why all of these little changes; little does she know that many more changes are about to take place. 

Work has been very stressful but I am doing my best to overcome the challenges as well as balance time with hubby and baby girl.  Something to look forward to, we plan to just halt our lives next week and disappear for a mini vacay/ honey moon and believe it or not it is going to happen.  We are both not sure if we will sleep throught the vacation or if we will drag ourselves out of bed and explore. 

I must confess I have all mixed feelings about the next few months; feelings of excitement mostly but anxiety since I have no control and mostly how Baby girl will turn out.  I have to admit I also feel a little guilt that I am not as prepared for our little surprise as I was with baby girl but all the same I am excited.  Baby girl- lately she gets so jealous when I hold or touch another baby, or pay attention to them or even hold on to her papa.  I am not sure if she will react this way whith the newborn but what I do know is that, she is aware that something is about to happen but isn't old enough to comprehend that a baby is coming and will change our lives forever.  Sometimes I do wonder out loud what de heck were we thinking!