All Endings Are Also Beginnings...

I always think of my favorite Mitch Albom quotes this time of year..."All endings are also beginnings" during commencement season as I have used it in many commencement speeches I made as Miss Maryland.

Today I think of the quote because my maternity leave for little Lucas is coming to an end as I return to work next week.

Don't worry this won't be a sappy "I don't want to leave my baby!" post. Nope. I'm ready to go back to work. I love being a working mama. Love my job. Love the folks I work with and since my office leadership happens to be in transition at the moment--it is very important that I get back to work.

It is also important that Lucas let some other than his mama take care of him. With a total of 10 weeks off, I've actually taken 2 extra weeks off with Lucas than I took with Olivia. According to my husband "he needed it." He is a bit needier than Olivia. We've bonded more with the nursing (since he feeds like EVERY 1.5 hours--INSANE). I just hope he behaves for our nanny. He will.

For my second maternity leave instead of planning a Baby Clambake, a trip to Vegas with CCD, a trip to New Orleans, and killing myself at the gym---I slept more, and soaked in the newborn goodness. We made more family ice cream trips--mm honey graham and salty caramel are my new addictions thanks to the genius of Taharka Brothers. I did more housekeeping items that fall behind in our fast paced lives and long term planning for our family. I even took up semi-extreme couponing and saved $100!

What I did NOT do is finish Olivia's toddler room! Just one more item to buy-the IKEA expedit bookcase but,  I'm calling it "done enough." Pictures of the toddler room coming soon!

On Motherhood...

I don't know if it's pregnancy or the experience of already being a mom, but these days I can hardly stand to hear people sentimentally talk about their mothers without  crying my eyes out.

And boy, did Alphamom Chris Jordan get it right on her "16 Things I Have Learned About Being a Mother" post on Oct. 20th. I haven't even experienced some of the instances on the list--but the entire thing really resonates with me. Among my favorites on the post:

5: The healing power of a hug. Hugs rank right up there with baked goods.

7: You have an infinite reserve of patience. Yes, you will be tested. Yes, there will be times when you think you are right at that edge of your sanity. But then your kids will push right over to the other side and you realize, with surprised joy, that you have not strangled them nor has your head popped right off. And at that moment, you should feel proud.

12: Don’t wait for your house to be perfect to entertain. As long as you have children it never will be.

14: Cheerios. When your children are small you are required to carry around a container of them. Always. I am not sure if any kids actually eat the Cheerios. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT!

15: Smile.

I felt pretty.

For a moment in time, last weekend, I stepped out of my mom uniform (sweats/leggings/jeans), and I felt pretty.

I was invited to sing the national anthem for a pageant in DC on Saturday and Charm City Grandma agreed to babysit Olivia since Charm City Daddy was out of town.  In order to get to DC on time Saturday I had to escape the city on Friday night before the big Baltimore marathon (aka Under Armour Running Festival) which runs all day Saturday and holds every city resident hostage for the day because of the street closures. It's great fun to watch though and Charm City Daddy ran it a couple of times when we were dating. Anyway...

The pageant was FABULOUS but more important--it was for a great cause, breast cancer.

I hardly ever agree to do pageant stuff much any more so it was also the first time in years that I've been all dolled up by make-up, hair, and wardrobe pros.  It was a complete transformation too. I mean I showed up in mom jeans, a flannel shirt soiled with nasty little finger prints, stains, snot and whatever else that gets wiped on me during the course of the day.

When the hair and make-up artists asked me what kind of look I wanted, I replied "Dramatic! Over the top! I never get to do this kind of stuff anymore." And you know what? I'm so glad I did! It was FUN to play dress up for a few hours and I felt good....pregnant but goooood. This is the iphone pic I sent to Charm City Daddy after the makeover.

The fabulous Robin Fleming of La Casa Hermosa (she's in the background there) loaned me a beautiful, flowing, classic gown that accommodated my baby bump.

Current queen: requisite hand on hip. Former queen: requisite hand on baby gut.

Charm City Daddy flew in that night and met me back at grandma's house where Olivia was already sleeping, so we decided to stay at grandma's another night. As soon as he saw me, he begged me to "take that makeup off!" Apparently he loved the picture, but not the up close and personal. Typical. Fantasy over.

A Mother's Wisdom...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommies and mothers-to-be. Special shout out to my mama or "ma-muh" as I called her growing up. I can think of no better example of a woman who balanced marriage, motherhood, home, and career so beautifully. Mom when you're not even trying you are a constant source of inspiration---and comedy. ;)

 I know you are going to hate this pic mom, b/c of the gray hair!

Just a few things I learned from you:

• A good paint job can make any and everything seem brand new.
• Look for good workmanship and quality in everything. 
• Wine should be sipped and savored--and rieslings are the best.
• No one takes care of your stuff as well as you do.
• Neat is not clean.
• TJ Maxx is "hard shopping."
• "I hate Sears!"
• Only buy your gas on Post...and your groceries at the Commissary no matter how far away you live.
• Never shop without a coupon, and if you forget ask the sales associate if they have a spare.
• Never leave a dressing room or store shelf a mess. 
• Stand up for yourself..."Let me speak to your manager!"
• "You don't need to wear makeup everyday--let your skin breathe, but always keep your eyebrows tweezed." 
• Moms do it all--housework, yardwork, handywork, whatever needs to be done.

And my personal favorite:

• A well-equipped kitchen is a necessity--but cooking is optional.

straight from mom's kitchen!

I am so lucky to live close to you. You help me keep it all together and in order (my secret weapon!) . I love you---- "right we best friends?"

Worn Out

Whoah, I am so pooped. I do NOT know how stay-at-home moms (or single moms) do it! My weekends wear me out. Actually Olivia wears me out.

I remember life before kids when my Saturdays used to fly by. Back then by the time I crawled out of bed, tidied up the house it was time to prep for dinner or evening plans. But today? Today was NOTHING like that. Plus Charm City Daddy was out of town.

I was up at 6:30 a.m. with Miss O who was sitting up perfectly in her crib and pooled all of her buddy blankets and lullaby musical toys in the center of her bed to beat them to a pulp. When I made my entrance I got the usual squeal and laugh---not to mention pee-soaked pajamas.

SIDE BAR ON THE WEE WEE: "Heavy wetter" doesn't even BEGIN to describe her situation folks. I have tried it all including every combination of diaper that exists and giving her few ounces in her bedtime bottle and we still have bed wetting at least 3-4 nights a week. We have settled with the Pampers 12-hour Baby Dry overnight diapers--but they can't even contain Miss Olivia's bladder.  Her bladder must be as big as her stomach. Experienced moms feel free to leave advice.

Oh yeah--and she started pulling up this week! This is a pic of her pulling up after the wee wee jammies come off in the morning.

After breakfast (and a tall cup of coffee), I wrestled her to take out the 15 trillion braids I put into her hair this week (after telling the nanny that water is NEVER to touch her hair. Face yes, hair no. Hello? That's just inviting tight little bee bee naps!) She fought, squirmed, cried, and so I gave up and the decided it was time for a stroll (which makes her fall asleep). So, I slapped a hat on her fro and huffed it around the hood (with a tall travel mug full of coffee) for a full HOUR. I was hoping she would stay asleep until I got back to the house, but a lawnmower woke her up on the homestretch! By the time I got home it was only 10 a.m.! Really microwave clock? Really?

I survived the rest of the day by putting her little tail in the walker in our bedroom and tied various distracting objects to dresser handles and door knobs around the room. At one point I was spread eagle across the bed with one eye open and she was having a very lively conversation with the clothes hamper and later repeatedly thumbing one of the dresser drop handles (CLANK CLANK CLANK) with pure and utter joy.

I remember looking at the clock at 3:45 p.m. and thinking THREE LONG HOURS UNTIL BEDTIME?!?

At 4:30 she had her dinner after we walked to the ice cream shop (for heavenly Toffee Caramel Swirl!). On that walk I discovered her 20-pound butt is too heavy and too big for the Baby Bjorn unless I am interested in throwing my back out. A dad at the ice cream shop saw me struggling and recommended another model with more suitable back support available. Thanks guy.

By 5:30 she was very fussy, irritable, wouldn't let me put her down and I think we had an argument in baby talk. I took her temperature because this baby had to be sick. Nope. Just fine. Just spoiled ROTTEN.

I honestly don't remember what we did between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. when I started drawing her bath  and sadly that was just 5 hours ago! Ha! I do remember some intensive staring was involved, and I was sprawled out again--this time head on glider seat and butt on ottoman--and I think she was in the crib standing up (holding the rail) laughing at me.

I DO remember that I promptly put her to bed at 7:15 p.m. and wished all of the neighborhood kids playing outside would sssshhhuush up!

Through all of that I did coax her to take 2 naps today in addition to the one she had during the morning stroll. I managed to clean out and reorganize my closet during one nap. ALL maternity and nursing clothes have been removed and retired--for now.

When Charm City Daddy arrived home tonight, I told him we have a monster on our hands. 

I can only imagine how she will behave tomorrow during church service. Luckily we have a very LOUD service and congregation. I had to leave Easter service three times because she wanted to sing louder than everyone, shout during the moment of silence, and refuse to nap even though she was tired--oh and empty the contents of the diaper bag on the floor.


SAHMs of the world, I salute you. Please excuse me while I go collapse.