Girlfriends

This weekend was our yearly girlfriend trip and it was a blast in its on way. It is a trip with my close friends from medical school. AB (pediatrician), KW (gen surgeon), TW(obgyn) and me (fam medicine). You may go back to this post - http://thesweetbitterlifeofanigboprincess.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-york.html  For the first few years our meeting spot had always been in New York. It was fast paced, so much to see and do and it fit our lifestyle at the time. Then when I was pregnant with my daughter we met in Kansas (where I did my residency); then the following year it was in Orlando, fl because I was still nursing my daughter. Now this year it was again in Florida (since i am still nursing my son). We laughed as to how much the trip had changed. First of all, we have two children (mine of course) and because we had to worry about them we had to secure a nanny, and limit the places we would go but somehow we managed to have a good time. They got to see how I live and how i balance my many roles, at the end of the trip they wondered who took care of me. Who knows?
I enjoyed the time with them and I appreciate their willingness to make it work. Though i had to break away a few times to nurse my son it did not ruin the trip.
We take a face picture every year in the same position and we plan to do it every year for another 50 + years. I love these women, we uplift and enrich each other and those few days we spend each year are great though they have never been enough.

 

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.