Welcome to Motherhood

It's been crazy here.  I've been trying my best to fit family, work, and this pregnancy all into one carefree, "la-la" -so-perfect-life.  Not happening.

It seems life throws us twists and turns we are unable to cope with at the given time, but it has been proven time and time again - time heals.


And while parts of my life are spent healing a whole lot lately, other parts of my life have seem to of gone to shambles.  My house, for instance.

Today I realized while stepping into "my office" (which is just a large walk-in pantry closet, basically) that my foot was stuck on some sort of foreign sticky substance.  Most likely remnants of Miss Bianca's popsicle she decided to carry around when nobody was looking.... or perhaps my own spill of my Diet Coke.  Who knows.  Either way, disgusting.  After eating breakfast and trying to wipe down the kitchen table I discovered there were small "mountains" of gook left where Miss B sits.  Again, probably left-overs from weeks worth of "you missed a spot" areas that have now hardened to the point it's gonna take sandpaper to remove.  And lastly, I was doing dishes and thought it looked very cloudy and grey outside... until I realized it was mildew and dirt grime that had established residency.

Enough.

I've been ignoring the obvious lately and trying to do things I really like to do - plan the 2nd birthday party, finish the new nursery, take some pictures at the park.... it was time to surrender and clean.  I keep asking for a cleaning lady to magically appear on my doorstep.  Derek's totally against it.  I figured if I kept letting the house go.... eventually he would cave and we'd hire one.

Nope.

Cleaning is a tricky thing to do when you have kid(s) at home.  I started with the windows outside and let Bianca play in her water table while I cleaned.  35 minutes and streak-free windows later.... she ran up to them, used her wet body to slide along them, and slobbered with her face creamed to it on one side with me on the other side, saying "Hiiiiii Mama!"  Waste of time.  I played "smoosh your face on the window" right back.

Floors next.  Vacuumed with Bianca assisting me by carrying the cord around.  But she would get distracted and get more toys out and line them up in the path of suction.  The hardwoods were another joke.  Just after polishing, she runs into the kitchen with an old juice cup, leaking all over the what-once-were shining wood floors and stepping in every drip.  "Heeeere Mama!  Help!"  Thank you, Bianca, for all your help.

I realized:  it doesn't matter.  I have toys in every room of my house.  I open my underwear drawer only to find her toothbrush, bent q-tips, and a cookie monster doll waiting to be rescued.  My deodorant has gone missing only to be discovered in the book case in her room.  I'm still missing a black high heel shoe from last summer after she ransacked my closet.  Bianca insists on helping put the clean dishes up from the dishwasher, but she drops most of the clean silverware on the floor while attempting to put it in the drawer.  My floors are always sticky and you have to check to make sure there's no toys or entire roll of TP in the toilet before you flush ($150 plumber bill later).  This is our life.

And I love it.

My neighbor, Loren, and her newbie little boy, Griffin, came over this evening for a little treat.  Lo picked us up Starbucks.  We watched Bianca play and I held baby Griffin while we watched the Sprout channel.  Her life has changed over the last few months, too.  Welcome to motherhood.  We chatted and caught up on life.  She's back to work after her maternity leave.  Yes, she's a working mom, too, and it's tough.  But hey, something's gotta give (for me.... it's gonna be house cleaning).

Sorry honey.

Tonight I got to squish and kiss this little mans cute thighs.  And they are there for the taking.  I LOVE babies and holding their little bodies close to mine.  It was perfect - just the fix I needed.  Little Griff was happy the entire time.... and CUTE AS CAN BE!!!

Look at these squishers!!!  

Oh... he looks like his Daddy.

Wild hair day for this one.  Blame the spray-in sunblock.  

She's at the table, folks.... and serious as can be.  

Well, not always serious.

Bianca's method of eating an Oreo.... lick all the frosting, then eat the cookie.

Happy Wednesday.  And Happy Cleaning!

My mom & dad visit

This last week we were so lucky to have my parents for a visit.  My dad had not been here since January - hard to believe!  We had a great time.

They came in Monday and we just relaxed that evening.  I grilled out and made some yummy summer side dishes.  On Tuesday we did our usual Tuesday morning "library story time" at our nearby library.  It was so cute - Bianca was sitting on my lap in the circle and about half way through said, "Dee Dee?"  She spotted my mom outside of the circle watching us and ran over to her.  She stayed with her the rest of the time.  That evening, they got to see Bianca in full-force in her pool and sprinkler. Mom pushed her in her little pink car and took her through the sprinkler, saying "Car Wash!"  It was adorable. Wednesday I took them to the train museum.  It was really neat.  And of course, Bianca got a few goodies from the gift shop.  Papa and Bianca really love choo choos!
 

They had to leave on Thursday:(  We went to breakfast at our usual J. Christopher's.  We always have to eat breakfast there at least once when they come to town.  It was so sad saying goodbye.  For the first time, I think Bianca understood what was happening at the airport.  She got really upset when we arrived and Dee Dee and Papa got out.  

It was a great visit.  We had dance parties, played in the water outside, and were able to just "be together."  Bianca really misses her grandparents.  And boy.... does she know how to "work it".  I think she pulled Papa around by her little hand more than ever.  She'd say "Ni Night Papa!" and "DEE DEE" so loud.  Those little blue eyes sure were sparkling.  She loves and misses you two very much.

Chicago, Days 3 & 4

The last two days of our trip we stayed at my sister-in-law's house.  Abbey (Derek's sister) and her husband, Jon, have a beautiful place located in the West Loop of downtown Chicago.  It is so close to everything!  After taking the train from the burbs to downtown, we could literally walk to her place.  It was so neat to be able to wake up, get ready, go for a cup of coffee, and stop at a park on the way home for Bianca.  All of this could be done while looking at the Sears Tower.  Awesome!

But the real reason why we went to Abbey and Jon's was not for the scenic view, or the stellar location.  It was to see the newbie in the Beehler family - Baby Joseph.  "Joey" was a little over 8 weeks when we finally got to see him in person.  What a CUTE little man!  He is just so round and adorable - you just want to hold him and kiss his little cheeks all day.  And momma and dadda are doing just great, too.  Abbey is really doing a fantastic job as a new mommy.  We are so proud of her!  And Daddy Jon is such a proud daddy - he's getting the hang of things and made us a fantastic dinner the first night.  Little Coco has been a good family member, too.  She doesn't bother little Joey at all.  Now.... my Bianca really liked seeing Coco and I think Coco was "more than ready" for Bianca to leave after 2 days.  She still wakes up sometimes and says, "Where's Coco?"  Bianca really liked her tail.  Coco was exhausted, I'm sure, after we left.

Here's the adorable Mr. Joey Beehler:


When we got to Chicago, Abbey had set up a lovely welcome table with cake and cards for us.  I managed to get my hands all over it before getting a picture.  Hey people.... I'm pregnant, ok?  So I've eaten the part that says "and Liz".


It was hot, hot, hot in Chicago.  So hot we could barely take Bianca outside without her crying and sweating up a storm.  She was lethargic and crabby when we went to Navy Pier.  But hey... we went! 

 




 

Bianca knows how to "work" her grandparents.  On this trip, she would do her "little miss B" strut in front of Grampy, then lay down on the ground right in front of him, and extend her arms up.  It was a "Please pick me up" look.  Pathetic.  But it worked.  He carried her all over.

This is the funniest picture of the trip.  The "funny mirror" at Navy Pier.  Grampy... this is too hilarious!

The Cisel girl and Beehler boy.  Too cute for words.  

Bianca was allowed to touch his toes.  She was pretty scared and kept her distance from the baby.  Oh my.... I hope she does as good with her new sibling on the way!

She sure misses her Nana and Grampy.  They are fun, fun, fun.

Bubbles!!!  We loved their front porch.  It was nicely in the shade, and allowed for great people watching!

Also in Chicago, I got to meet up and have lunch with my cousin, Danny.  This is the same cousin who came to Atlanta and met up with me and my mom for dinner when he was in town.  It was great to see him.  Thanks, Danny!  We are sooooo happy you are back in Illinois!
Derek and I love Chicago.  It was a great vacation.  Yeah, it was hot.  Yeah, I had morning sickness and vomited in the back of a cab on the way to the airport one morning and almost made my husband join me with his face in the bag (when does that end???  it happened again yesterday, too....)  But hey - we got to see our friends and family.  Worth any heat if you ask me.  The new addition to our family is absolutely perfect.  We are so happy Baby Joey got here safe and healthy.  Mommy Abbey - keep up the good work - you are really doing a superb job and we are so proud!

Chicago, Day 2

On Sunday we met up with my girlfriends from college, Amber and Melinda.  Amber lives in Inverness and Melinda lives in Milwaukee.  It was crazy estrogen going on - Amber is due about 2.5 weeks before me and Melinda gave birth about 3 months ago and is breast feeding.  Craziness!

I had not seen Amber's home yet.  It was BEAUTIFUL.  Derek and I are so impressed with what nice homes our friends have!  Their home has a large, large yard (I don't know exactly how big... probably an acre or two) with tons of trees and landscaping.  She and her hubby re-did this home and it looks to be brand new - large and open, bright and airy.  Amber looked great and had a 'lil belly bulge sporting her first baby-to-be.  Neither of us are finding out the sex of our babies.  Should be fun cause they will be born so close together!  I think we're both packing girls.....

Melinda drove down from Milwaukee with her new little guy.  I felt so bad for her having to make the trip - but a 90 minute drive was nothing to her.  She had just done a 12-hour drive all by herself with her baby and her little dog the weekend before.  Not to mention a plane ride to California a month ago.  She's AMAZING to say the least.  I always knew she'd make a great mom - no challenge is too tough.  Did I mention she works full time and also has a husband who is a surgeon and she deals with all kinds of wacky hours.... yeah - like I said: amazing.

So we spent a little time at Amber's, eating some treats and catching up on things (admiring her home, eating her food, etc).  Then we went to lunch and ate about everything we possibly could (we are all feeding for two remember.....).  And then the girls got to go shopping for the afternoon.  The husbands left us to shop a bit and catch up on more things.  Melinda brought her little man along for the ride - and he did great.

I feel pretty special to have such good friends.  They have really been my saviors over the years - especially in the last few weeks.  I just look at us now and how much we've changed.  It's amazing.  I lived with these girls through our college years.  In the dorms, then the sorority, then an apartment.  Now, years later - we've really grown up.  I'm so proud of us.



 

Thanks again, girls!  It was so good to see you both.

Chicago, Day 1

We went to Chicago this last week.  We arrived on Saturday and stayed til Wednesday.  Here's what we did:

Saturday: Burbs.  Palatine/Northwest area.  Saw D's college friends, their babies, and cookout.
Sunday: Burbs.  Inverness area.  Saw my college friends, their bellies and babies, and lunch/shopping.
Monday-Wednesday: Downtown with Derek's sister and family.  Saw new baby Joesph!

It was a packed full agenda.  We LOVE Chicago.  We love the atmosphere, the burbs, the cleanliness.  It is awesome to walk everywhere downtown and have clean streets, feel safe, and do anything you want to do.

I'm going to start off with Day 1.  It's awesome, cause I have so many photos from Day 1.  But each day I have significantly less photos.  I was bad.  I am usually so good at taking them.  With all the traveling, Bianca running full speed and out of schedule, me preggers... I just wasn't a good photographer this trip.

We went to Ken's house - Derek's best friend from college.  They are peas in a pod.  When I talk to Ken's wife, Erin, I feel like we are talking about the same person sometimes!  For the last 4 years when we have gotten together, there has never been a time when Erin or I wasn't pregnant.  This time was my time.

A couple of Derek and Ken's other buddies from college came over, too (Jamie and Nick).  They all "caught up" while doing something "really important."

This was what was really important:

ahh.... summertime


please, Cisel (aka "the Sizzler")... you are not in college anymore


Yes, Derek and Jamie won.

The "Boys" crew from Monmouth(Jamie, Ken, Nick, & Derek)
The "Wifeys" Crew:(me, Erin, Joanne)

The "Baby" Crew:(Bianca, James, Calvin, Abram)


The little ones were all pretty dang cute playing together.  My little Miss was the only girl.  But don't you worry... she holds her own.  She's bossy and can tell all those boys what's up.  Poor Abram (Ken & Erin's oldest) was so sweet and so kind.  Little Miss rocked his world and told him a thing or two.....
He is so sweet and gentle-natured.
He was a good boy and went up and down the slide properly.
Bianca did not and showed him the wrong way to do it.
Abram loved riding in his car.
Until Lil Miss Bossy wanted in.
And she wanted all his toys.


Calvin (Ken & Erin's 2nd son) is also sweet as can be.  He loves his mommy and is already standing on his own, attempting to walk (9 months).


And then there was James, the rolly-polly little man (Jamie & Joanne's baby) weighing in at 25 pounds, more than B.  He just smiled, and smiled, and smiled.... he was so cute.  I've only seen one other little guy with legs like this.
The little dude likes to eat.
What a killer smile.  Happiest little guy ever.  Those chunky boys are so smiley!
It was such a good time.  We had not yet seen Calvin or "little" James since they were born.  Derek had his boys' day and seemed to really enjoy it.  We can't tell you all how much we loved seeing you.  We only wished we lived closer and could do BBQs like this every weekend.  
It's been decided this is a yearly event.  We're hoping to be the hosts next year.  Where we'll be.... hopefully somewhere with a yard.

92 at 11

Yesterday it was 92 degrees at 11am.  It got even hotter in the afternoon.  When it's that hot outside, even the pool seems like too hot of a hangout.  So, I put Bianca in the car around 10am, not really knowing where we were going.

Have you ever done that?  Just got in the car and start driving, not having a destination?  I wanted to take her someplace for her - no stores, no shopping - time just for B.  My car found it's way to the Georgia Aquarium.  We love the aquarium.  It's so kid friendly.  Yet, adults love it, too (my mom keeps saying she wants to go back - and that says a lot!).  We have a yearly pass so it's "free" every time we go. Well, not really.  The pass is just about as much as 2 visits, so if you go there at least twice in one year - it's paid for.  Needless to say, it has already paid for itself.

Bianca starts screaming "fish!" when we enter the door.

It's the largest aquarium in the world.  This tank holds 4 whales, multiple sharks, and thousands of fish.  You walk underneath of it and they swim above you.  It's so cool.

After the aquarium, we walked outside to what was probably 98 degrees at this point, humidity off the charts.  HotLanta they call it.  But it was still beautiful.  The Coke Museum was feet away, Centennial Olympic Park across the street, a beautiful view of the city skyline.  We got in the car, and I managed to navigate home/find interstate with a "spaced out" mind.  I realized I was just driving through traffic with no problems, no mistaken turns - without having to think.

I realized this was my home.

A small-town girl living in a big city - it's taken me a while to get around down here.  The traffic and 6 lane interstates drive me nuts, but I'm making it just fine.

We sat in a traffic jam for 20 minutes when I was 3 miles from the house.  I was annoyed and wanted to cry.  Bianca was sleeping and her nap was going to be totally messed up.  Guess there's some things you just gotta learn to live with.  Traffic is one of them.