Three years

Three years ago today, she made me into a mama...

...and became her own separate little person in our great big world.

"Welcome to the spinning world!" they said.  "We're so glad you've come."

P2 Update

In the grand tradition of second babies, I have not updated as much about poor little P2 here as much as I did with Eliza.  It is so true what they say about not having the time to focus on (or sometimes even remember!) your second pregnancy.  

However, it doesn't mean that I am any less excited or in love with this little bean:

12w3d ultrasound - Profile of head/upper body, and those really intense jaws!

Our first trimester screening was yesterday and we got quite a long look at this little one.  Eliza came along and I looked at her face when the baby popped up on the screen and it was priceless.  She smiled and laughed and when the baby kicked and wiggled she said "the baby is dancing!".  This is such a fun age and I'm so glad she understands what is going on and is excited.

We won't get our results back until next week, but preliminary results were positive.  I know many couples choose not to do this screening; Andy and I choose to have it done because, in short, we want as much data about our babies as we can.  If there was something different about our baby, if he or she had down syndrome, knowing now would help us plan and prepare - emotionally, mentally, medically.  We'd rather do that now than later.  So, that's why we choose to do it.

Anyway.

Here's teh belleh on Saturday before Andy and I went out on a date - that right there is crazy to me, because I didn't look like that until 19 weeks with Eliza!

I'm feeling great and things are going well.  I could not be more grateful!

31 vs. 21

This post over at Mama Nervosa had me chuckling.  So I thought I'd steal the idea and post 10 of the things I find myself caring about now that I am 31 that did not matter to me when I was 21.

   1) Having a clean shower (my college roommate will attest to this one)

   2) Eating hormone-free/cruelty-free meat

   3) Olive oil (good tasting, high quality!)

   4) Restaurant reviews

   5) Working on relationships with friends and family

   6) Good wine

   7) Preschools

   8) Kitchen knives

   9) How comfortable my pants are

   10) Current events


What would your list look like?

Eliza Quotes

"Grandpa, you don't have much hair."

"I'm going to grace you with a lima bean kiss!" (eating lima beans this evening for dinner - her request - I don't know where she learned about the word 'grace'!?)

"I'm helping you buy lots of healthy food, Mama" (at the grocery store this evening, as she put raspberries into the cart, followed by an apple and a pomegranate).

"I am old enough to eat popcorn and when I am 55 I will drink beer."

"What was your favorite part of our day today, Eliza?"  "Going to the comic book store with dada and eating applesauce at the [brunch place]. And healthy food." (I swear we're not crazy with the healthy food talk!  We just mention it when we talk about growing up big and strong... she's really interested in that right now I guess!)

"Come on in, Mama!" (She says this to me each night when it's my turn in the bedtime parent rotation - after daddy sings and reads a book, I'm up.  She waits by her door for me, opens it when I get there, and says this, complete with hand gestures.  It's the cutest thing.)

...

Just a few I didn't want to forget.  Love this age.  She says the cutest and most random things!

A Sprinkle for Simon

When we moved, I didn't know how quickly and how wonderfully life would change.  Along with a beautiful new house, we have had the great fortune to meet some very kind new friends.  I knew a number of them before we moved, actually, but being in the same neighborhood as many of them has been such a refreshing change, and such a gift.

This weekend I had the honor of hosting a little baby "sprinkle" for one of these women.  It's her second baby, a boy named Simon due around the first of the year.  I know second baby showers are uncommon (at least in these parts!), but since none of us knew each other when we all had our first babies, it feels like we're going through this pregnancy stuff - including baby showers - for the first time together.

I had so much fun doing this for her.  And selfishly, I loved the chance to throw a little gathering in my new house.  I love it here and am proud to invite people over now.  I had a lot of help from my dear family and two other mutual friends - without them it would not have been so successful or fun (and it certainly wouldn't have been so tasty!).

Here are a few pictures of the day (well, okay, mostly the pictures are of the food :)

It was a lovely afternoon and I think everyone had fun.  We played two shower games, the Safety Pin Game, and a lively round of Baby Jeopardy!  My mom made her famous turtle cake, and people raved about it.  It really is the best chocolate cake in the entire world.  Thanks Mom!!

I hope I get to attend and host many more of these events in the future.  What a happy occasion to gather together and celebrate.

Can't wait to meet Baby Simon!

Eliza and the Pumpkin

 It started out nicely enough.  Eliza's first experience carving a pumpkin.  Aww.  Grandma was here to help, and Eliza dug right in.  At first.

Then...

What the...

I'm not so sure about... hmmmm...

Oh dear God, what is this atrocious substance!?

Put it away! Just put it away Grandma! 

And quit laughing.  

You people are not funny.