Mama What?

However I've noticed a shift in Hunter's weight as well.

If you knew Hunter before we moved from West New York, then you knew he was the "Heavyweight" of the baby boys in the 'hood.

He was always in the 100th percentile for weight and was "solid" instead of being roly-poly.

Definitely line-backer material...

Since we've arrived in Orlando, he has gained 3 lbs!! We've only been here for 5 weeks or so.

I am not impressed...he's absolutely over-eating (thanks to being around the Grandparents 24/7 I'm sure) and now has broken the 28lb mark.

My word!!

When we left WNY I was able to pick him up easily, being just at 25lbs.

Now it's a struggle to get him out of his highchair or off the changing table without feeling like my back will go out.

It's crazy b/c he is so active now...running, dancing, walking, jumping off of things...I thought for sure he'd lose some of his baby weight. 

In his pics, you can't tell how chubby he's getting. And it's not that I mind it at all -- you know I love me some chubby babies! :)

Hopefully the fact that he's the largest kid in his daycare class starting next week doesn't create any issues. He towers over the other little boys and I don't want him to be a bully -- or be bullied -- as a result.

Updates to follow...

That's how I used to sing Happy Birthday when I was just a year older than Hunter. :)

And seriously, this 30th Birthday of mine last weekend was ALL about the cake. Or at least the desserts in general.

I had Apple Cobbler at my Surprise Party Friday night, Grand Marnier Souffle on our date night Birthday dinner on Saturday night, and two cakes for the Family Celebration on Sunday! 

I am STUFFED and showing it - big time.

I have 5 weeks to go before Hunter becomes a big brother and I can't imagine growing any larger than I am. I have BLOWN up. My entire body...my face is way chubby, and I'm feeling very "tree-trunky" in the legs and arms. My booty has grown exponentially and of course my tummy trumps them all. The only thing(s) that haven't grown are my "girls" (ahem!) -- of course.

I am looking forward to being able to see my knees again -- or at least my toes. And don't even get me started on anything higher up...

My friends all sent me Birthday wishes with the cutesy phrases like "Dirty 30", "Flirty, 30, and Fabulous", "Purdy 30", etc...and all I'm feeling is "Sturdy 30" because it would take a semi truck to move me these days. 

Ok so maybe I'm being hard on myself...it's just that I hardly pictured myself at 150lbs when I turned 30. Granted, I realize it's for a good cause. I am 30, married, with *almost* 2 sons...what more could I want? It seems to be I am in a perfect place at the perfect age...and I usually feel that way...until I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the window and wonder who the old heavy-set woman is looking at me. Gasp! That's me? I need some sleep! And eye cream! And cheek-liposuction!

I know I'm just being complain-y. I really shouldn't. But it's my party and I'll cry if I want to. 

Well, we survived our wedding weekend...and by "we" I mean "I". 

I had little energy to spare after two days of get-togethers but I managed to make it work long enough to even attempt a dance, a la MIA at the Grammys, at the wedding.

Here are a few of the pics:

I know what you're asking yourself...has Trav gone Amish? And the answer is no...but he certainly hasn't shaved (or even trimmed) his facial hair for WEEKS much to my dismay. However on Thursday he has agreed to go get a shave and haircut while he's back in NYC. Hopefully he finds a barber down here in FL that he trusts because I did not marry a bear. Or so I thought.

On to more random updates:

--Now the wedding is over, I have lots of little details to tend to -- Dr's appts for Hunter and myself, finding a decent shoe repair place (a lost service down here as no one walks anywhere -- it's not a pedestrian city), calling and catching up with my WNY Moms, getting Hunter into a more routine play-date schedule, pre-registering at my OB's hospital, continuing our new home search, and planning fun events for the next 3 weekends (my 30th, our Anniv, and Mother's Day). 

--I also want to start swimming more regularly since the weather is warming up -- as is our pool. Hunter loves it in the water and will be learning Drowning Prevention techniques this summer since we're surrounded by pools, lakes, and oceans living down here. 

--I've been cooking and baking once per week -- which is the most my mom will let me get away with -- and have tried some new yummy recipes too! I'll start posting them when I can...

--Hunter had his first trip to the ER on Monday night at 3am! He took a tumble down a few stairs and seemed fine but when he woke up in the middle of the night crying and touching his head, we feared the worst. So Mom & I took him in to the ER -- we were in and out in less than an hour -- and all is well, thankfully. It just was a precursor of what's to come with two little active boys who have no fear...the joys of motherhood.

--I take my glucose test on Friday (for Gestational Diabetes). They suggested I eat a candy bar before I come in. I am seriously spreading the word about this because in NJ they told me you can opt out of the nasty syrup drink and eat jellybeans instead and here they told me you can either eat 150 carbs of a candy bar or mix the syrup with soda. I feel like it is my duty to tell all preggy women I see that these are alternatives. When I took my test with Hunter, I ended up in the ER from dehydration b/c the glucose syrup made me so sick. Please spread the word -- you can eat CANDY!!! :) Yum.

--We are still house-hunting but we're taking it slower than we initially planned because Trav is working on a Consulting job that could determine our plan of action (whether we stay in FL or move back to NY or...). So with that up in the air, we don't want to buy something small right away (like a condo, which is what we had planned) if we end up living here (because we would need a larger home.)

--Hunter starts part-time daycare on Monday, May 4th. Stay tuned for emotional posts...

Recently, with my preggy symptoms kicking my a**, I've been shying away from social gatherings to avoid being the Debbie Downer.

(i.e.: )

I don't want to be the girl who ruins the buzz... ;) 

However with one of my best friends (whom I've known since we were 5) getting married this weekend, I couldn't make any excuses...I attended a Bachelorette dinner last night at Kres Downtown *I'd attach pics but they are too naughty* and a Bridal Mini Spa Day and Lunch at Lago in Baldwin Park today. Tonight Diana visited with Hunter and I for awhile and we exchanged our April Birthday gifts and caught up with girl-talk. Tomorrow is the wedding so Trav & I will drop Hunter off at my brother's house for a few hours while we celebrate Lu & Steve's special day.

Anyway, the point is -- while I'm physically uncomfortable and mentally drained from all I've been experiencing recently with our move, caring for Hunter, and being 8 months preggy -- I really enjoyed seeing my girlfriends and doing things just for me and for my social life. 

I felt like a person again and it felt really good. 

I keep telling myself that soon enough I will be doing these types of things regularly but I allow my symptoms to take hold of my decision-making ability. Then I say "well after Kingston is born I'll be back to my normal social-butterfly life" but I don't want to keep putting off my happiness. 

I need to think of me in order to be a good mom and wife. We've all heard it a hundred times and we're aware of it yet we still struggle with finding that balance. 

So instead of just juggling doctor appointments, play-dates for Hunter, Trav's out-of-town schedule, and my ouchy days, I am going to add one more component to my To Do list. 

Although it takes time away from my limited resources already, it is so fulfilling that it boosts my spirits and productivity in other aspects of my life. Something I can't afford to do without.

While I am at it, I also noticed a bad habit I must've adopted after giving birth to Hunter. It's so normal to me I have to really force myself not to do it these days...

I add "real quick" to the end of every sentence regarding my basic needs.

"Trav, can you watch Hunter? I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick."

"Mom, can you keep an eye on him for 5 minutes? I'm gonna take a shower real quick."

"________(fill in the blank with whomever is around)_______, can you make sure he doesn't climb the entertainment center? I'm gonna grab some dinner real quick."

Why the urgency? Don't I deserve some time off to pee, eat, shower, and whatever else my body needs/wants? No one placed that expectation on me. I did it to myself. And now I've set a precedent. It's odd b/c when Trav eats, he takes his time. Same with his bathroom and shower schedule...so why should I be any different? 

I feel like it may be related to the Mommy Guilt we feel. As though we should feel guilty for doing something that could take time away from our little ones. Well, newsflash ---> pretty soon, once my 2nd baby is born, I really WON'T have extra time. SO that shower or the potty break or sandwich will be my only relief away from Mommyhood. 

And I am going to take full advantage. 

At least, I'm going to try. 

I need to take time to eat, stretch, shower and do my hair -- to feel like a deserving, worthy person in order to function like the strong maternal example I strive to be. 

Having our Mommy's Helper has shown me that during my 4 hours off each afternoon, I don't need to handle "business" like errands and phone calls...I need to focus on me and my wants & needs. The days that I do that, I feel SO much more well-rested and engaged in Hunter's development.

So Adios "real quick"! Don't let the doorknob hit ya on the way out!

This was Hunter's second Easter -- but he was SO young last year I am counting it as his first "real" Easter because he was actually able to participate in the festivities this year. :)

We had an Easter Egg hunt with his cousin Ashley at my brother's house.

We colored eggs. I made cookies. We gorged ourselves on naughty food and candies. 

It. Was. Divine! 

Here are a few of the pics from our weekend together. Hunter's been walking a couple of weeks now but it always amazes me, for some reason, to see him walking in pictures...

JUNE 3rd!

LESS than 8 weeks...

I need a drink! ;) 

There are less than nine weeks to go before Kingston arrives. Less than eight if you consider the c-section date my due date.

I am SO ready to no longer be pregnant! While I can not WAIT to meet Kingston and love him and be his Mommy, I feel sad that these are the last days and weeks that Hunter will have me all to himself. Writing this is actually making me cry because I don't verbalize that feeling very often nor do I consciously think about it.

At least living here and having family so close will allow me the opportunity to leave Kingston home when I want to do something special for Hunter and vice-versa. Not that they'll often be apart in that type of scenario but I'll have that option.

Hunter has grown so much in the past 14 months...he's become quite the little toddler,

 especially lately now that he's walking. It's so strange to think that for half of his short life I've been pregnant. A part of me is anxious to be my "old" self again and be able to be the active mom I was when he was still in infancy. He didn't need it as much then but I had such a high energy level and I look forward to sharing it with him again once I am not lugging around an additional 40 lbs.

As far as updates go, Trav has been doing some consulting for a past employer so he's been busy and had some new-found "purpose" in life. He comes home by dinner so I'm a happy gal. What makes me even happier is hiring the Mother's Helper last weekend. Woohoo! She comes for 4 hours per day (in between Hunter's 2 naps) to be my "hands" since carrying Hunter and caring for Hunter has become a challenging task to take on solo. 

While Trav is at work, my helper comes...that's the deal. It works well for us because Trav needs time to focus on his consulting project and I am physically unable to care for Hunter all day so both of us have some relief. 

Yesterday she and I took Hunter to the park where he met a cute little 1-year old named Samantha. They sat on the swings and cooed at each other for about an hour before we came home. 

I have lots of Orlando Momma friends with babies Hunter's age range but we've yet to see a lot of each other because it's taken so long for me to get settled. Now that I *finally* unpacked my last box this afternoon, I plan on getting together with them more often. 

The weather here is beautiful, breezy, and sunny. Hunter's been swimming twice since we arrived, even though it's WAY chilly in the pool. He seems to love it!

The hardest adjustment has been missing my WNY Mommy friends. I talk to some of them every 4 days or so but it's not the same here...when I go to my corner grocery store I don't run into any familiar faces. Ok, I take that back. Two days ago I ran into a friend I hadn't seen since I was 18 -- BUT it's different nonetheless. 

Another challenge is trying to find a balance for Hunter between Grandparent-love which includes partially ignoring my instructions added with continuous attention...this is turning Hunter into a whiny baby and it's frustrating to say the least. I tried so hard to keep him even-tempered (when I could) back home but now there is interference. As soon as Hunter whines, even if it's just because I am putting him on the floor after changing his diaper, someone will inevitably say "What's the matter baby?" in a coo-ey voice and it's over. We get full on pouty, quiver lips and crocodile tears. That is NOT the baby I've been raising for a year!

Overall, I can honestly say our move down was the best choice for our family. I needed the support from my Mom and Dad. We were no longer tied to NY through Trav's job and had the opportunity to take advantage of our free time. Our parents are getting to see more of Hunter, which is SO important to me. And we're living in a family-friendlier climate. Maybe one day we'll be back up in NY but until then, I feel like this is where we belong. At home. 

I haven't posted recently because Hunter has been keeping me busy - until today ---> my first day with a Mother's Helper. Hooray!! :) 

Anyway, here are some pics of this weekend...we splashed in the pool and played in the playground...life is rough! ;)