Help Preparing for Baby #2

Welp... done a ton of research ... and talked to friends ... and friends of friends ...

Yes, my husband and I will need a double stroller.

I'll figure out a way to convince him later.   :)

Okay, so in the running were the Peg Perego, Kolcraft and Citi Mini.

All waaay too expensive, but the easiest to maneuver and store for a mom who may find herself running out on errands solo with a 2-year-old and newborn.

The winner -- (drum roll please) -- the Citi Mini 2011 Double Stroller !!!  By an overwhelming majority.

I say the 2011 model because it's cheaper than the 2012 ... though not by much I've found.

Anyone have a used one here on the First Coast they'd like to sell?

Also looking for some advice on baby monitors.

The one we have (which saved me from having to have Alexandra sleep with us when she was born) has been great!

It's a Summer brand model, but with so much use by so many different people at our home (family, sitters, etc) ... it's starting to short circuit ... and the company no longer sells it, so no 2nd camera for baby #2.

Any suggestions?

I'd like another monitor equipped with audio and video and multiple camera capability... though I'm sure Alexandra will be climbing out of her big-girl-bed when she's done sleeping so no need to really monitor her ... buuuuttt .... mommy can't help it.   :)

Don't We Need A Double Stroller?

The nesting process has begun  (not a fan of that word, but that's what we're doing...again.  lol!)

We got Alexandra's big girl bed -- YAY!   Just need to get a mattress for it -- which, at the rate we're going, could take another week.... ugh!

And NOW hubby wants to paint Alex's new big girl room ..... yes, now -- the month before baby's due.  Oy.   He doesn't like the pale yellow that's already in there.  I think it's fine, but ... whatevs.

Here's something else my husband and I disagree on.

He thinks we don't need to get a double stroller to cart around baby and Alexandra.  But I think we do!  

I mean, we're not always going to leave the house together -- what the heck are we supposed to do, with a child that can't walk yet and one that doesn't always feel like it?!?

I've started searching for one -- they're awfully expensive!

The only other thing I'd like to have but can't -- yet -- is clothes.

Problemo -- are we having a boy or girl ?!?!? 

The suspense is now killing me!   Don't know how hubby can stand it!!

Saying Goodbye to Lola

Death -- it's part of life.

For my 22-month-old, it's already something very final and memorable.

Just yesterday, as she was playing with some toys outside, an oversized-ant crawled up on the toy in her hand.

"Bug!!" she exclaimed, pointing at it while looking at me, waiting for me to do something about it.

Without thinking, i grabbed my shoe, killed it and said, "ok -- it's dead. All done." 

Alex looked at it .. then a little closer ... said the word 'dead' ... and went on about her playing.

I say the concept is memorable, because it's been how long since she saw that dead frog in our driveway....?  Feels like forever ago.

A very VERY faint mark is still there -- thanks to the vehicle tire that smushed the frog -- and when Alex sees the mark, she says "Dead, fog."

So here's my dilemma.

Our wonderful, loyal, loving dog Lola ... will likely have to be put down.

She has hip dysplasia in both hips, and because of that -- other problems are arising, like tiny ligiment tears.

Lola's on so many pain medications, and in the past week has occasionally stopped using one of her hind legs.

We're going through the motions -- xrays, tests, meds .....

There are surgerieSSSS availible ... which are very expensive, and there's no guarantee they'll even help.

So yes, the closed-door discussions have begun about possibly ending Lola's obvious pain all together.

Even Lola has become much more clingy and needy -- just wanting to be in someone's body space.

It's so heartbreaking.

All the adults in the family understand what's happening .... but how do you explain to a not-even-2-year-old ... that the one "person" who never gets mad when Alex tries to run her over with a highchair -- might suddenly disappear?

Right now, Alex knows Lola's "leg hurts" and has a "boo-boo," and that's why we say "poor Lola," but that's about it.

I don't want to tell Alex that Lola's gone because of her boo-boo.   Don't want Alex to freak out the next time a scratch (boo-boo) appears on her own finger.....

Do i want to say the word 'dead'?  Or would that conjure up images for Alex of something violent happening to Lola (like the ant i killed with my shoe)?

I would like to incorporate God and Heaven into the equasion, but Alex's Bible stories are just that -- stories....

We could pray for Lola -- Alex knows how to say her prayers...

Then again -- maybe i'm over-thinking the entire thing.

Just really trying to think of what to tell Alex when she screams for LOOOOOLAAAAA!  -- and Lola's not there.

Steer Clear!

Interesting.

Alexandra and I were at Target... and while I was trying to find her size in winter clothes, Alex extended our time at the store by running in and out of the aisles, farther and farther away, knowing I'd come chasing after her.

However, one of the times she ran out into the main aisle -- she saw a pretty tall, burly man walking toward us.

I didn't really notice him at first, he was still so far from us ... but Alex spotted him, and immediately ran over between me and the cart i was pushing ... walking with it, hiding in that space between .... until the man passed by us.

Then, it was back to running amuk in and out of the clothing racks.

I say it's interesting, because it's not the first time it's happened.

And it doesn't happen with all men... but quite a few in the past week.

That had me reviewing in my mind all the people in her life -- me, stepsister, babysitters, church friends, playdates .... almost everyone she's in close contact with is female.

The only man -- daddy.

Now ... i have no intentions of signing up men to hang out with us ... but i wonder if I'm to blame for her apparent fear of guys.

Oooor, maybe i shouldn't complain!!  LOL!

Lips, Or Cheek?

This took me down memory lane.

As far back as i can remember, my family often greeted eachother with a kiss ... said good-bye with a kiss --

-- but always on the cheek; never on the lips.


I remember thinking how odd it was once i got into elementary school, to see parents kissing their kids on the mouth.  Hahah!   Sounds funny to me now, all these years later!    :)

As a child, I remember asking my parents why we didn't kiss on the lips.  They told me it was nasty -- terms i could understand as a tot.

Fast forward to last night ..... 

Hubby was putting Alexandra to bed, but she didn't want to see me go so i asked her for a big hug good-night.

She gave me a great hug ... then puckered up her lips, and hummed that expectant hum when you want a kiss from the person standing in front of you.

Yep -- I gave her a little kiss on the lips, fighting all those silly childhood memories that oddly flooded my brain... but of course i wonder -- does it matter?

Holey moley, i'm ready to pull my hair out.

We're just starting the November ratings (sweeps) at work, and i'm swamped!

That's not the problem.

The issue, is having to take work home with me.   Ugh.

For some reason, Alexandra doesn't want me to work on computer statistics and writing TV news sotry scripts at home.

I know i'm not the first woman to balance work and family...  i just would love to know how others have done it!

(preferrably before i pull my hair out.... lol.)

Alex Is Taking Over

WHAT ... is the DEAL?!?!?

My husband and I were just celebrating the fact that Alexandra didn't want to be rocked to sleep at night anymore -- basically because she's getting too big and can't get comfortable in my arms -- but now, she's started another bad habit.

And I think it's my fault.

When I lay Alex down in her crib at bedtime -- she thinks it's a game.

She stands up-- then throws herself back down on her mattress... she pretends to sleep-- then snaps her head up, looks at me and laughs......

Even when i leave the room, and she screams and cries hysterically ... i come back-- thinking that was a big enough threat for her to knock if off -- and the games start again.

When my husband comes in to "take over" ... Alex is O-U-T in 2 minutes.

He says i have to do better at "taking control" of bedtime ... lol.....

Hubby also doesn't like how I threaten Alex with the ol' "I'm going to tell daddy!" line when she does something wrong.

I don't know why i say it ... i never planned to ... it just kinda, rolled off my tongue the first time, when i couldn't get Alex to stop trying to flip off her changing table while i was changing her diaper.

My husband's right -- and I'm not one to admit that often.. hahah!

Say "Bye", Or Sneak Out?

It was a rare move for the middle of the work week, but hubby and I were able to get away for a few hours Tuesday evening for a lovely date!

It took me a little too long to get out of the house though -- i was trying sooo hard to sneak out without Alexandra seeing me, then crying and giving the babysitter grief.

I did it!!!  Was so proud of myself too.  Told hubby who was waiting outside with the car running, and he asked, "Why didn't you say goodbye to Alex?"

"What?!?" I whipped my head around, looking at him in shock. "You DID???"

"Well sure," he says. "I said goodbye, and let her know i was coming back."

.....  silence ......

Great, i though. Now Alex will wonder all .... night ... long ... where i am, and whether I'm coming back.  SIGHHHHH!

Of course that didn't happen, and she was happy as a bug all night ... but still..... I'm sure she would have gotten upset if i told her i was leaving.

Don't you think?  Which is the best way to "leave" baby at home?

                    I know -- i'm a big chicken.