Pryce's Birthday party

A few weeks ago we made a sudden trip to Florence for my Uncle Eddie's funeral. Before we came home on Sunday, we went to our cousin's birthday party! Pryce had a Hawaiin luau party, with a big water slide/bouncy house thingy. Make sense? Drake enjoyed bouncing on the bottom part of it, but cried his little eyes out when his cousin took him down the slide. It was unbelievably HOT outside, so Eli stayed inside.

He's so darn skinny, that even the 12 month size swim shorts ride up.
I tried to tell Eric that Drake's short were around his neck;-)
Aunt Amber held the snugglebug!

A few pics

Yes, I know. It's lacking here on the blog these days. I don't have time to take pics, much less post them and blog about them. However, here are a few pictures to tide you two faithful followers over. (AKA grandmothers).

Thank You Rixa, for an honest look at birth trauma

So, I've had two amazing births. They were hard, but amazing. I was lucky enough to have everything go as planned. Well, kinda. There is the little issue of my husband not making it to Drake's birth. But I got the natural births I wanted. I was completely present, mentally and physically. It was just how I wanted. But I realize and acknowledge that I am one of the lucky ones.

There are so many women who prepare just as much as I did, and labor much harder than I did, only to end up with a traumatic birth. By traumatic, I'm not referring to just a C/S. I'm referring to traumatic as anything a Momma deems it to be. If they feel traumatized by it, then it is so. It's no one else's place to judge. I really do think women get PTSD from a bad birth experience. Not every woman with a poor experience feels that traumatized, but we should respect those that do.

What makes me really, really sad, is a Momma who is traumatized--only to be told it doesn't matter because her baby is healthy. It DOES matter. It's a fabulous and amazing thing that the baby and Mom are healthy. But for some people, the birth DOES matter.

Rixa is a woman I'd totally be friends with in real life, if we lived near each other. I swear she somehow enters my mind and writes my thoughts. One of her recent posts almost had me cheering out loud in my family room. I wanted to yell "You go girl!!! You tell them!!!" I don't even know who 'them' is, but I just loved her blog post titled "All That Matters".

Here is a link to it!

So, if you know anything about me at all, you know I fall in the Enya camp. Ya know, I did actually have quite a few Enya songs on my labor playlist. In any case, the her blog post will make me think twice before I ever tell another woman "Well he/she is here and healthy, and that's all that matters". From now on I think I'll be saying something along the lines of "I'm so happy you and baby are healthy and doing well. But I'm so sorry you didn't get the birth experience you wanted. I'm here if you ever want to talk about it.".

A few changes

Hi! Long time no blog! My super busy life and incredibly adorable children have me occupied! I did take a few minutes while Drake, Eli, Eric, and even the two dogs are napping, to make a few blog changes.

You'll see I've added Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I've posted here before about her blog, and I read it religiously!

I've also added one by some chick named Candice, who always has me laughing so hard I cry. Beware her language is incredibly foul, but I think it just makes it funnier!

I've also added Science and Sensibility, a blog backed by current research. It's written by Lamaze International. LOVE it!

And last but not least, I've added one by RixaRixa, called Stand and Deliver. I find a lot of what she writes about totally fascinating. As a matter of fact, I'd love to link and discuss one of her recent posts about birth trauma. It was an amazing read!

You'll see below I've posted a couple of videos that I've recently found entertaining. They both are about anesthesia stuff, so maybe they'll give you a little insight into my adult life outside of my children. That's right, I do have a life. Ha! It may consist of unconscious folks, but that's okay!

Another hilarious video

So funny, but this is the kinda crap we put up with at work....

...Click here!

Anaesthetists Hymn

Hilarious! This video makes fun of people who think we just sit and chill (or read the paper while drinking coffee), while the patient is asleep. That's all so far from the truth.

Swim Lessons

Today was Drake's first swim lesson. And it was SO cute! Like gymnastics, we do it more for the quality time than the skill. The morning was a struggle around here, to get to swim lesson by 11. Eric was at work, so I was flying solo. Drake skipped his morning nap, b/c we had to leave by 1o in order to stop and buy some "little swimmer's" pull ups for the pool. The Y requires THREE layers on the non potty trained kids. A disposable, a rubber training cover, and a swim suit. We were good on the first two, but not the sposie. And I'll freely admit I was a little sick to my stomach putting it on him. Yuck...all that plastic and all those chemicals. I can only imagine the nastiness in it.

There are only 4 kids in his class, and one didn't show up. I love that it's so small! They use songs and motions, and nursery rhymes to teach them things. The teacher is so creative, and it was a ton of fun! His favorite part was the end, where she turned the water on for the slide, and let them slide off the end of it. Big grins for that one!

Despite the craziness of the morning, and the struggles of getting both kids into the Y, it was all worth it for some Drakey smiles and giggles. Eli went to child watch, where he slept and hung out in the swing for an hour. I was happy he didn't give them a hard time:-)

I really enjoy doing fun and educational things with Drake. I love seeing him have fun and enjoy himself, all while getting some quality time with Mommy. I can't wait until Eli can join us doing fun stuff like this! In the meantime though, Eli is amazingly happy and content just to nurse all the time:-)

More Buffalo...

I never got around to finishing posting pics of our trip to Buffalo, so here you are!!! That Sunday afternoon and Monday were spent hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's. Lots of family came over Sunday evening for dinner and an Eli Meet and Greet. He slept through it:-) Grandma's backyard is the best!

The commonly referred to "milk coma face".

Playing in the pool

Yay! Grandpa and Daddy are home!
So I feel a little bad that all the pics of Eli are of him sleeping, but that's just how he rolls.

Little naked boy playing in the sand/water table. Without the sand. See all those toys in the background? Now you know why we called it "Grandma's backyard carnival".

Aunt Jackie and Uncle Larry with sweet lil' Eli.
Aunt Leslie with our punkin
Yuummm Yum!
The best shot of the three of them. It's comical, and I don't know why we really try. The only reason we actually got one of all three was b/c we bribed them with popsicles:-)

Cousin Rachel with the little cousins

That's one orange mouth!
Yummy!
Lacey heard that Grandma was handing out popsicles to the boys, so she quickly headed up the deck!!!
This is what Eli was doing during all the fun. Yep, that's how he rolls.

Dianna and Eli

Gavin and Drake playing in the "circus"
Crash!
Drake's saying "Hey- I wanna swing!".
Gavin loved to push Drake, and Drake was thrilled!

Drake's 18 Month Checkup

This past week was my big boy's 18 month checkup with Dr. Dorsey. I was worried about the vaccine he'd be getting, and how he'd do with the shot. I wasn't concerned with the actual checkup or exam. WRONG!!! He did fine with the shots, and AWFUL with the exam. So, let me start from the beginning. Again, I just love my peds office. We waited less than five minutes in the waiting room. They are so speedy and efficient, despite being a big office with 8 doctors and 2 NP's. I was quite sad when we weighed Drake, because he now stands on the regular scale like a big boy. No more baby scale for him, boohoo. Could it be that he's growing up? He weighs 19.4 pounds, and is 29 and 1/4 inches tall. Less than fifth percentile for both! His head circumference was a whopping 18 inches; he's actually in the 5th percentile for that one! At least my skinny meeny is consistent with always being so little. Dr. Dorsey said to keep buttering everything, and skip anything low fat. And of course, keep up with the whole milk. He said that as long as Drake eats his three meals a day of whatever healthy stuff we offer, to give him whatever extra stuff he'll eat! So, he got cupcakes galore at a party last night!

Anyhow, the exam. He threw a fit. Like, embarrassed his mommy kind of a fit. He acted like the stethoscope was burning his skin. I mean I can understand crying with shots, and with an ear exam. But the rest? Uncalled for. He does NOT like having his personal space invaded. Dr. Dorsey said that the 18 month and 2 year checkups are like that for all the kids- that he doesn't even use the exam table. He did everything but the ears with Drake flailing about in my lap. Luckily, he said that by the time they come back for a three year well checkup, they love the doctor again. Thank heavens!!!

My Growing Boys

Eli was three months old this past week! And Drake will be 18 months on Monday! Can someone please tell me how this happened?

Eli's personality is really shining through. I can't tell you how much Eric and I just swoon when he smiles and coos at us. And on the days he giggles when we clean his neck rolls? Well, we are just beside ourselves on those days. It's like an orchestra playing, or angels singing. Just absolute beauty. We are three months strong on breastfeeding, and I mean STRONG. This kid hates the bottle. He'll deal with it when I'm at work, but only after holding out a while. He has to be super hungry to eat from a bottle. I'm hoping his aversion to bottles, and my supply (which is better than with Drake), means we'll make it to at least a year breastfeeding. Yes, at LEAST. I'd totally go longer if my kids want to. I believe in self weaning.

Eli is enjoying his swing a lot, but has started spending lots more time on his activity mat. Drake lived on his activity mat at this age, but it's harder with Eli. We simply can't put him on it and turn our heads for one second, b/c there is no telling what Drake will do. Like offer him a goldfish cracker. I couldn't make this crap up if I tried folks. Drake is getting better though, so Eli has been joining him on the activity mat with toys. He loves the light up singing star. He loves to roll up on his side, but his chunky lil' arms stop him from rolling over. I think he's gonna be my lazy baby. He's so content just chilling out, that I don't think he'll crawl or walk early like Drake. Eli gives new meaning to the word mellow. I love my stinker.

Now, Drake. How on earth is my baby a year and a half old??? And how is it that he's my big boy, instead of my baby? I truly don't know. Other parents try to warn you how fast they grow up, and it really is true. It seems to happen overnight. Drake's obsession is being outside. It's all he wants, and he will throw a fit until you take him out. There is nothing in particular out there that he wants; he just likes to walk around and explore. He loves to head out on our neighborhood greenway and go to the park. He's a climbin', slidin', swingin' fool. He is in love with airplanes and birds. He talks and jabbers away, and is really intense sometimes in trying to relay something. He gets so mad and frustrated when he doesn't know how to express something. I'll be thrilled when he can talk in sentences and phrases, b/c I think his frustration level will decrease.

Drake's kisses are to die for. He has started making the "smooch" sound when he gives them, and I'm in love. There isn't much in this world I enjoy more than a big kiss from my big boy.

We start swim lessons week after next. It's only 4 lessons, for a month on Tuesday mornings. It's more of a time for us to spend together, and play in the waterpark afterwards. And we can take what they show us, and practice later when we go swimming with Daddy. He starts his preschool (AKA "playschool") the day after Labor Day, and I'm excited for him. I know it's definitely going to be an adjustment. No morning nap is gonna make him a bear in the evenings. I'm excited for him to make little friends, and have a few hours a week that are structured and planned out. We've started time out here, using the pack and play....and it WORKS! Hallelujah!

Well, the boy are beckoning to tell me nap time is over, so I g/g!

Au Pairs

So..... Eric and I are completely busy and overwhelmed, ALL the time. Two kids under two is no joke. Especially when it's combined with working full time. And even more so when your husband works 80-100 hour weeks. Now let me be clear, and say that I'm thrilled my husband is working so hard; his business is going quite well. However, arranging childcare is a JOB in itself for me. Every day, I have to think...is it me, Eric, the nanny, my neighbor, or my Mom that will be taking care of the boys. Planning each month is so stressful. And just when I get it figured out, Eric changes something. Which means I have to scramble to rearrange. I am TIRED OF IT. Plus, when I am here, I feel like I do nothing put pick up and clean up. Having two kids in cloth diapers puts an enormous strain on laundry. I want more time to enjoy my children- I want to rock Eli and play on the floor with Drake.

Okay, I'm finished whining.

Eric and I have taken into account all the above factors, and decided that we need to do something before we (meaning I) lose our sanity. It was time to reevaluate childcare. Daycare is out. None accommodate the hours we work. It would be nice and simple if there was a place that opened at 6am, and allowed only three days a week. But none do.
We love our nanny, but for the hours we want/need someone a week, the cost is out of control.
We considered just paying an agency to find us a fulltime nanny that we'd pay by the week, but it didn't compare to our last option.

An au pair!!! I had honestly never considered this, because I've never felt like we've need so much help to warrant having someone live with us. Well let me just tell you, we definitely could use that help now. Since I'm just back to work, everyone is of course asking about the boys/how they are/who's watching them/etc. When chatting with one coworker this past week, she mentioned that her family had au pairs when her children were young. Then after further conversation, it turns out that quite a few of my coworkers have had au pairs. I heard lots of positive things, and decided to investigate. And I liked what I read.

I always thought it would be cool (as a high school student) to either be an exchange student, or have my family host one. That didn't happen, but I always thought it would be fun and interesting. See, an au pair is essentially an exchange student, but they take care of your kids for room & board, plus a weekly stipend. There are pretty strict guidelines regarding their duties and hours, all mandated by the Department of State. They have to be between 18-26, and they have to take 6 hours of college credit while they are here. They can't work more than 45 hours a week or ten hours a day. They come for one year, and you have the option to extend up to one year after that. Au pair is French for "on par", meaning you bring this young woman into your home and treat her as a member of the family. Kinda like a much older sister or aunt for your kids. They are not a maid, and they are not slave labor.

Eric and I are really excited. I'm actually super pumped. I never thought I'd be keen on someone living in our house, but our guest room is quite tucked away and private in the basement. Our family room and office are also down there, but everything else is upstairs. I'm optimistic and hopeful about this process, and I hope it's a positive one for us. I've spent LOTS of time this week reviewing files. I've narrowed it down to two girls- one from Mexico and one from Peru. We hope to do some phone and skype interviews soon. Once we match with someone, it takes about 4-6 weeks to get them here. Apparently it totally depends on how slow the embassy is in their country. I'm ready for someone to get here tomorrow!!! But, we'll muddle through July, and look forward to having an extra pair of hands around here soon.