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Gift Giving Time!

Posted on December 5, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Every year, all throughout the year, I see little things here and there and think to myself “this would be a great gift to give.”  Then it comes time to get a gift for someone and I feel stumped.  I have promised myself I would start writing those things down because nothing is more nerve wracking than rushing around to find the “perfect gift” when you in fact already found it a while ago and just completely forgot about it when you needed it most.  I would like to think there are many of you out there who are just like me and I hope that you find this list helpful.  I compiled and whittled down my favorite gifts to make it as small and concise as possible.  These are gifts for baby, toddler, Mommy, and friends that are mommies.  Sorry Dads, I still struggle with you guys.  If you have a Daddy list for me, please send it my way (like asap… I need it).

These are tried and tested products that I am finding I cannot live without.

So without further ado, here are Mommy’s Gift Recommendations 2011.

Baby In a Bag

This is a baby must have for the cooler months.  I hate dressing my girls too hot in their pajamas (mainly because I hate being layered too much myself) and this is the perfect solution.  It keeps baby’s core nice and toasty, is made with a zipper from the bottom for easy diaper changes, stays on them no matter how much they move around during the night, and it is made well.  A must.  I have two so I have a back up in case of ickiness :)

Baby Stella

This little soft doll is perfect for the little mommies out there.  R adores her Baby Stella.  She changes her diaper and clothes, caries her everywhere, and does all the things she sees me do with her little sister.  The best part with Baby Stella is that she is completely washable.  With all the love that she gets, she also gets dirty, and I throw her right in the washing machine for a nice bath :)   She comes out perfectly, air dries, and she is ready for more Mommy love.  This Mommy loves her too.

California Baby

California Baby products satisfy all of my crunchy Mommy sensibilities with their all natural and chemical free products.  The products are non-drying and tear free which is great for those wild little fish that splash in the tub.  I especially like the super sensitive line that has no added fragrance for R who has sensitive skin and also perfect for newborn and infant skin as well.  Two babies, one product= faboo.  Don’t worry, even though it’s fragrance free, your baby will still smell like the delicious bub that she is :)   Check out the line’s website for other great products and make a nice gift basket.  California Baby rocks.

Vanicream

This is the ultimate lotion, and yet another product that everyone can use.  It is a MUST for anyone (baby, child, adult) that has any sort of dry skin or eczema.  R had a bad bout of eczema as a baby and we tried our hardest not to have to resort to any sort of medications to help her.  I wish I knew about this stuff back then.  She started with some dry patches a few weeks ago and literally with one application of this cream (non-medicated, thank you very much!) those patches were gone.  We apply it after every bath and those little nasty itchies haven’t been back since.  I use it myself especially on my dry mommy hands at night.  What I love most is it is fragrance, lanolin, paraben, and formaldehyde free!  Be gone nasty chemicals, hello happy skin.  Slather that bad boy on and you will be smooth sailing.

The Learning Tower

This guy has been such a welcome addition to our home.  We have an island in the middle of our kitchen and he fits in just perfectly.  It makes the counter top a great place to play with our homemade, gluten-free playdough (click for the recipe), help Daddy mix the waffle batter, eat lunch while Mommy preps other food, color on paper (or said island ;) ), or just plain be able to see what is going on in this world full of things much taller than our little friends.  Stef reinfoced ours with clear plexi all around the large openings since R likes to sit down in it (and it’s a pro job if I do say so myself!), which is something we highly recommend if your child does the same.  It is not a cheap gift, but is one that keeps on giving (and growing with your child).  Plus, who doesn’t want a little help around the kitchen :)

Magic Bullet

Now that we are moving into the kitchen, this is another life saver that every kitchen should have, especially if you are making your own baby food.  It will make the “how can I possibly make all my baby’s food” fears subside.  C is in the steamed, pureed baby food stage and growing into eating more advanced flavors and textures.  This bullet can puree with the best of them.  The best part is, it comes with small portion containers as well, so you don’t have to puree a ton in order to puree your food properly (like one would with a large blender).  I would recommend this bullet over the Baby Bullet simply because this one can grow with you and your baby, and I already had a steamer basket and ice cube trays so I didn’t need those extra accessories that the Baby Bullet provides.  Once the baby starts eating more food, the Baby Bullet becomes outgrown.  I personally use this bullet for my own cooking  when I need to take some broth and ingredients and blend them in order to thicken soup.  It is also very easy to clean.  The Magic Bullet makes my pureeing, freezing in ice cube trays, and storing baby food simple.  Mommy loves simple.

Buddha Board

This board is for the artist inside us all!  This was a gift for R, but it is something I love to use as well.  You paint on the surface with water and as it dries, your work of art disappears.  It’s all about living in the moment and appreciating the here and now.  The Buddha Board is definitely a fun and calming art project for everyone to enjoy, and to keep little hands and minds busy for a few minutes.  Yay Zen!

Books

I love getting books for kids.  With all the TV and internet distractions out there, books remain my go-to gift for children.  Books are a great way to promote language skills, engage in quiet time together, promote a longer attention span, and allow the imagination to work.  Books are also a helpful tool to teach valuable lessons like sharing, feelings, and to help explain the arrival of new siblings.  Some of our favorites are:

Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Escape of Marvin the Ape by Caralyn and Mark Buehner

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

You can also never go wrong with the classics that we grew up with (Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle).  I am now reading with R the books that I enjoyed as a kid.  It’s a trip down memory lane…

Wellies

R loves these little boots, and they are her shoes of choice about 95% of the time, rain or shine.  They are super easy for those little hands to pull on and she loves that she can do it all by herself.  She also has a matching raincoat and umbrella and I am telling you, they are all a hit.  Boys and girls both seem to love their rain gear and R is no exception.

Fridge Phonics

While R has SO MANY TOYS that all kinda do the same thing (ie. make some loud, crazy noise or song), this toy I love for a few reasons.  Leap Frog Fridge Phonics is a great alphabet toy that really does the trick.  It’s  interactive since they have to choose the letter and place it in it’s place in order to hear the song, eventually leading to letter and sound recognition.  Each letter is a separate piece so there are a few ways you can interact with this toy and I feel like it’s function will last for a few years (not just a few months).  I don’t personally put it on my fridge (thanks to a weird fridge that is only magnetic in random spots not within R’s reach), but it will keep little hands occupied in the kitchen while you are busy with your Mommy duties.

Name Necklace

As much as I love gifts that have function (as in making my life easier), this one just makes it a little more silver and gold :)   I love my name charm necklace that was given to me for my birthday from the Hubster himself.  Anytime I am away from my girls, I have their names around my neck and get lots of compliments on the necklace, too!   C also loves to play with it and make it jingle, so it also poses as a great baby distraction when you are stuck waiting.  This necklace is a great Mommy gift and there are lots of beautiful charm options at www.isabellegracejewelry.com.

So there you have it!  This is my list of things that I LOVE and think everyone should have if they have babies.  My life has been made better/easier/snugglier/calmer/prettier because of everything posted above, and I hope they can do the same for you.  Happy Holidays!!!

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Posted in Food Products, Health Products, Mommy Gifts, Things I love. Bookmark the permalink.

I’m thankful for…

Posted on November 24, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

I’m thankful for sunshine every day, even when it’s raining

Little baby dolls and a mommy in training.

Cute little tooshies with baby soft skin,

Little angel faces and a 2 tooth grin.

Dance parties in the evenings,

Endless giggles all day.

Baby bear hugs and new words that we say.

Warm little bodies,

Big blue eyes.

Playing dress up and planning a surprise.

Baby Buddha bellies,

Little feet that grow and grow.

Loving these little people more than they’ll ever know.

I’m so thankful for my husband,

He’s my true other half.

His support is never ending,

And he always makes me laugh.

My crazy little Mochi is my snuggly little boy,

And though at times he can be a handful,

He brings me so much joy.

I’m thankful for the 4 Grandparents that love my daughters so.

The impact of their presence makes those little faces glow.

I’m thankful for our nieces and nephews,

R feels like a big kid when they play.

When they are all together,

They treat R and C in a special way.

I’m thankful for Aunts and Uncles who love us from afar,

And preschool teachers who instill confidence and to believe in who you are.

Thank you to everyone who makes my world special,

I’m one lucky woman, Mommy, wife.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for my beautiful, beautiful life.

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Posted in Beautiful Little People. Bookmark the permalink.

Yes, I am still alive.

Posted on November 21, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Wow it has been way to long since my last post.

It will also be a while until my next one.

These past 5 weeks have been busy, full of changes, and proving to me that I have a new level of patience I never knew existed.

In brief (because I don’t have much time to write everything right now) this has been my life:

R

R wakes up a full fledged toddler; pushes every button I have in the span of 3 minutes.

She starts hitting when she is happy, sad, mad, frustrated, tired, hungry, mischievous.

I try taking the girls out and running all over town at any chance that I get in order to keep R busy (and not hitting).

Running all over town all the time is thoroughly exhausting, C isn’t napping when she should be, and we return to the house with R hitting as soon as we walk in the door.  Fail.

We start instilling an age appropriate version of time out.

R responds well to the time outs and becomes the little angel I know and love again.  The hitting has diminished greatly and I have also learned the signs of it coming so I know how to redirect much earlier than before.

Multi tasking- I wonder where she got this from? :)

C

C was starting to be very whiny, which is very unlike her and her super happy/smiley personality.

C also hasn’t been getting her proper 2 naps a day in her crib because we have been keeping busy (and a toddler from hitting, well, sort of) by being out and about.

She starts waking at 4:30am again.

She refuses eating solids which I believe to be the reason she isn’t sleeping 10-12 hours- she is waking up hungry, nursing at 4:30am, and going back to sleep.  I realize this is might just be her schedule at this point and try to stick by the “baby led” schedule.  Dammit I’m tired.

I try all different types of purees to no avail.  I am thoroughly exhausted from my insane-energy, crazy hand wielding toddler and know I can’t survive with C’s new sleep schedule any longer.

I resign myself to staying home and making sure C gets her two naps in her crib as much as possible.  This means we stay home when R is awake and C is sleeping.  I came to realize quickly that getting R out of the house all the time didn’t make a difference with her hitting, but getting C her 2 naps in her crib did.  This baby doesn’t get naps in the car longer than 10 minutes at the most, so it just wasn’t working for us.  She gets her naps everyday in her crib if possible, or at least one good one if I have to be out at some point.  R and I have found other things to explore at home while C is sleeping :)

I stay persistent and find a way to get C to eat some fruit.  She has expanded her palate and is eating all sorts of solid foods now!

C also pops out two bottom teeth.

After a few weeks of whining and early wake ups, she is sleeping until 6-7am.  I have finally seen a night of 9 hours of straight sleep.  She seems to have gotten herself into a good rhythm and is sleeping great.  Love it.

Snow in October

Yes, I was faced with the truth head on.  Winter is coming.  Snow appeared on October 29th, and then the electricity and heating magically disappeared, leaving us without power for 3 days.  We stuck it out the first night and just bundled everybody up for sleep, but the next day the house went down to 52 degrees.  Sitting in your house with 4 layers of winter clothing isn’t fun for anyone, so we decided it was time to jump ship.  Good thing because later that day the house went down to 48.  Thankfully, we have generous friends who offered to house us for two nights and we are so grateful.  There is nothing worse than having to shlep your infant, toddler, dog, and all the accompanying things to someone else’s house due to a crappy circumstance that you cannot control.  It downright sucks.  So does finding out that 75% of your neighborhood got their power back, but because the power company team’s shift was over, they didn’t fix the downed and live wire that gives your house power and won’t be back in your area any time soon.  Angry Mommy.

Only the beginning...

Mochi is a freak

This little monster is always up to something.  Whether it’s being insanely itchy, barking at leaves blowing in the yard, or finding poop snacks, he never lets things get boring.  This time, he has been obsessing over our downspouts.  One day, he saw a chipmunk run inside of one.  Ever since then, he goes outside and knocks all of them down so he can sit and stare at them.

Each day, I would go outside and reattach them.  Well,  two weeks ago, Mochi knocked down a spout and brought it into the middle of the yard.  I went outside to see what he was doing and saw that he chewed the bejesus out of it.  I picked it up to take it away and there was a little chipmunk inside.  The poor little chipmunk was scared out of his mind and thanking his lucky stars I came outside when I did.  Mochi was cursing me I’m sure.  Needless to say, this obsessive little dog has had his “chipmunks live in the downspouts” assumption validated.  He now does this to our downspouts:

Seriously?!

Mochi is the most difficult of my children.

Other household things

My time to do anything for myself was minimal.  I even had to go into the city a few times for some castings, which takes much of my day.  Thanks to all of these things happening, I barely had time to cook dinner, do the grocery shopping, or do anything else other than be on top of my toddler and or take a nap when I had the chance thanks to my infant affording me less hours of sleep at night.  I certainly wasn’t afforded time to post anything on this blog, or even get my thoughts in order to write something.  My patience had been pushed to the max and I realized that I needed to now just be patient with myself.  As much as I really enjoy posting, I need to give myself a break for a bit until things get a little less hectic.

Will that ever happen? 

As far as other moms say, no.  But that just means I won’t be posting as frequently as I did, and that’s ok because that just means I am giving myself whatever little amount of time I have left to breathe, time to do just that.  Because the girls are typically sleeping on exact opposite schedules, it seems I am always doing a one up, one down swap.  It is rare that both babies are sleeping at the same time, but when they are, I take that time to do something for myself.  This means no cleaning, cooking, or doing anything that is “work.”  It usually last for only 5-15 minutes max, but it is enough for me to bring my pulse down to a normal rate and regroup before the next little one wakes.

I also realize that if I do have a little extra-extra time, cooking dinner is a good choice.  I’m starting to become good friends with my slow cooker :)   Everyone wins.

So that leaves my poor, neglected blog to last place.

It’s not you, it’s me, I promise.

C is a tv star!

So the latest event that has kept my posting at bay has involved C’s budding acting career!  No, no I am not one of those crazy stage moms (you will NEVER see my kids looking like Toddlers And Tiaras)…this casting just popped up with the opportunity for us to shoot together, and C was responding so well in front of the clients and the camera.  C and I shot a commercial for Dreft (she was the star, I was just a mere extra ;) ) and you will see her beautiful mug getting messy as of December 5th, so keep an eye out :)

Heading into the city on the train for our call back

That’s it?

Funny, as I read this, it seems not a whole lot actually happened in these 5 crazy weeks, but it did, I swear!  So much time was spent stopping R from practicing her judo chop, getting C on a good schedule, shuttling in and out of the city while keeping C from having fame go to her head (wink, wink), saving chipmunks, and convincing Mochi to stop attacking our downspouts.  These days are flying by, but a lot of positive things have happened and I would like to think they will continue :)   Now with the holidays coming up (EEEK can you believe it!??!?!?) things will only get a bit more hectic, but this is also a time I am looking forward to.  This year R will really enjoy the Christmas decorations and the holidays with everyone, and C loves being around everybody.  Mochi will have some wrapping paper to rip up so maybe he will give our downspouts a break… if there are any left to chew.

I hope to have more time to post soon, and I’m sure there will be plenty to share in the next few weeks.  Now it’s all about getting my bearings on our new schedule and to continue being patient.

Lesson learned in these past few weeks:  There are times when things seem like they are falling apart, but at some point they all fall into place.  All you need is patience…

… and a local Home Depot.

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The Rapture Part 1

Posted on October 14, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

It was a beautiful day on May 22nd.  I had my newborn/mommy photo shoot scheduled with Howard Schatz, and decided to drive into the city with both girls so that R could get lunch with her Nonna and spend some time in the city.  I don’t get into the city often these days and thought it would be a nice outing for everyone.

I took the West Side Highway into the city to get to the studio, and silly me, (no longer being a city dweller) I didn’t even stop to check if there were any sort of events going on.  It was fleet week, and for those of you who are not familiar with NYC’s already heinous traffic, it made it much worse, especially on the West Side.  Even after leaving much earlier than necessary, I still found myself scrambling trying to figure out if it was better to get off the highway and take an avenue south, being concerned that I’d be so late I wouldn’t even be able to shoot today, and really not wanting to irritate the photographer before we even start shooting!  At least R was happy and C was asleep for the moment (she hates car seats and lets you know it).  In typical fashion, my GPS decided to stop working just the day before.  If it was working, it would have told me not to take The West Side Highway due to traffic.  I wasn’t that concerned about the GPS before leaving, though, because I was very familiar with how to get in and out of the city and knew my way around.  I figured I really didn’t need it.

We finally made it to our destination and Nonna picked R up by the studio.  Off she went with a smile in her stroller and I was collecting all of my things from my car that I just parked in a garage.  I was tearing through Soho and got to the studio just 20 minutes late after all was said and done.  Even though I was late, I knew I still had ample time to have a nice shoot, R would have a good amount of time to spend in the city and grab lunch, we would all finish just in time to make it back to the car, and everyone would nap on the drive home.  It was going to work out perfectly.

While setting up for the shoot, I was checking emails and was reading one talking about The Rapture.  All that talk about May 21st being the beginning of the end, and here we were on this beautiful spring morning with the birds chirping and sun shining.  That Harold Camping (American Christian Radio broadcaster who predicted the dates of The Rapture) wasn’t having as nice of a day, that’s for sure.  The day before, he was busy being heckled in Times Square by all his followers in who felt they were completely lied to and misled.  Today was no different, and I bet the next few days would probably be the same.  But for me, I was alive and kicking and my world was still all sparkly and bright.

Howard Schatz Photography

The photo shoot was great and timing was working out perfectly.  We left the studio, met up with Nonna and R, and packed everyone into the car.  R was yawning and C was already asleep in her car seat.  On the way down the West Side Highway, I saw the traffic going north was running smoothly, so I would take that way back home since we were already so close to the West Side.  I thanked Nonna, paid the car attendant ($31 for 2 hours?!?!), and off we went back home.  Smooth sailing.

My plan was in full effect.  Everyone was asleep, traffic was moving, and at this rate we would be home in an hour and 15 minutes max.

Then traffic was at a sudden standstill.

Then C woke up and started to cry.

That woke up R from her already deep sleep and she started to cry while still half asleep and a bit confused.

Shoot, maybe C needs to eat?  I should pull over.

So I pulled over on the West Side around 34th street or so and somehow crammed myself in between the two car seats and nursed C, trying to keep the passersby from seeing me through my front windshield.  Thanks to my awkward and jammed in position, I had a few kinks starting to form in my back, but at least C was settling down and this seemed to be what was causing her fussiness.  She finished nursing, I put her back in her seat, and back to driving I went.

Not more than 3 minutes later, C was crying again.  The constant stop-and-go jerking (thanks to the traffic that wasn’t there going north this morning, but was there now… I’m a fool for assuming it wouldn’t be!) was waking her up.  This was consequently keeping my thoroughly exhausted R from sleeping.  R was no longer in her half sleep stupor, but she was wide awake and cranky.  I knew I had to shut off my ears from the crying and focus on getting us home.  This was going on for about 20 minutes when suddenly the traffic opened up again and we were off.  The sudden flow allowed for both girls to fall asleep again, so everyone was happy and I was relieved.  Then right around 120th street it all stalled, with no signs of moving (Insert expletive under breath).  I knew I could get off around 125th and figured that was my best option.

Well, there was construction as soon as I got off 125th street.  I just needed to go a few blocks to get past the back up on The West Side, and now I was stuck here.  Gridlock.  Disaster.  And 2 screaming babies.

30 minutes it took me to go just a few blocks and back on the highway.  30 minutes of the girls crying.  I tried to give R toys and talk to her and distract her.  It would partially work and I would calm her down, then C would scream more and reignite R.  I wanted to cry, and I wasn’t even close to home.  There wasn’t even any chance at pulling some crazy move to get home faster.  We were just stuck.  Now, I was beyond pissed that the damn GPS wasn’t working.  I could have figured out how to by-pass all of this insane traffic.  At this rate, I would have been better off driving through the entire city to get to the East side and taken that way home.  I hate NYC traffic.

It was already past 2:30pm and I should have been just minutes from home.  I finally got passed the tie up and was moving again.  After all of that hysteria, both of the girls exhausted themselves crying and were asleep.  I think I had some new wrinkles.

The rest of the drive was smooth until I realized that my gas light had been going off, and I wasn’t going to make it home without filling the tank at least a bit.  I had no choice but to stop and get some gas.  If I stop, C is going to wake up, R is going to wake up, and this is really going to suck.  The alternative was possibly running out of gas on the side of the road and being stuck, so I had no other option.  I’ll be as quiet as possible, and hopefully they will sleep…

I got out of the car, closed my car door as quiet as a mouse, and started to fill up.  It was quiet.  No peeps from anyone.  I got the bare minimum to get us home, closed the gas cap, and just as I reached the driver’s side door, I heard a wail in the car.

“POTTY, POTTY, POTTY,” R cried.  I raced to her, got her potty, and put it on the front passenger seat.  She was totally disoriented and half asleep, still, and I was rushing to pull down her pants.  In my frantic state, her shorts got stuck on the potty and she peed all over them.  Now she was crying louder than ever, there was pee all over her shorts, and I had to change her.  My hands were covered in pee and I kinda froze trying to figure out where the wipes were.  Then C was awoken from her nice slumber and started to wail as well.  2 screaming babies, pee pee pants, and hands covered in pee looking for wipes.  I found them, cleaned R up and changed her, then hurried back into the car hoping that getting back on the road would cause the girls to fall back asleep.  At least I was only 20 minutes from home…

Well, the drive didn’t put the girls back to sleep.  At this point, I think they had enough (join the club).  They were both crying so hysterically that they were starting to gag.  R had so much snot running down her face, causing her to cry even more.  I just needed to get home.  To top it all off, we were just one exit away from our own exit home and there was an accident.  Thankfully, I could take the back way from the exit before ours, but unfortunately, it was 3:30pm.  3:30pm only means one thing; school buses.  Now I don’t know about you, but I remember back in the day that bus stops would be a little distance apart from each other.  I swear around here the bus stops every 50 feet to pick up children.  Being stuck behind a bus will ruin any chance you ever have of getting anywhere on time.  The rest of the drive home, which should have taken 15 minutes maximum, took almost 40.  We got home in 3.5 hours.  I could have almost been to my parents’ house in a little over 3.5 hours.  They live 3 states away.

I grabbed both of the girls out of the car and got inside as fast as possible.  I washed poor R’s face and hands.  C’s eyes were all red and swollen from crying so much, and I wiped her tears as well.  I literally felt myself shaking, and then realized that I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.  I was starving.  The girls settled down, I fed Mochi who was equally as starving, and I grabbed whatever I could find in the fridge.  My shakes were subsiding and life was getting back to normal.

Once we removed ourselves from that heinous car ride, we were all back to smiles and happy dances.  I decided it would be a good time to bathe everyone.  R, C, Mochi, and I all piled into the bathroom and I started the water for the tubs (big and baby).  I was pretty impressed with myself at how good I was at juggling a baby on my hip and a toddler after only 2 months of practice, and this was going to be my first attempt at bathing them simultaneously by myself.  I had R’s tub filled and moved onto C’s baby tub by filling it up with the shower head attached to the main tub.  Then, of course, R starts grabbing things and giving them to Mochi, who in turn takes them and starts chewing them up.  I set the shower head carefully in the tub, broke up the ensuing craziness behind me with C still in my arms, and I turned around to see the shower head now facing up and spraying water all over the bathroom.

It’s just water, take a deep breath…

I grabbed some towels and quickly threw them on the puddles of water, got C undressed, and put her into her tub.

Not more than 5 seconds go by.

Then the final straw.

C takes a monster poop in the tub.

R is giving Mochi more things to chew and screaming that he is taking them.

I am soaking wet and exhausted, staring at a tub full of poop, which I can’t dump out because the big tub is filled with R’s bath water.

May 22nd, 2011: This, ladies and gentlemen, was The Rapture.

 

How many moms out there recently had a day that you swore couldn’t get worse?!

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Posted in Poop is a not 4 Letter Word. But it is., The Rapture. Bookmark the permalink.

Mighty Meatballs

Posted on October 12, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

I love getting vegetables into as many foods as possible.  While I understand the concept behind “hiding” vegetables in your child’s food to make sure he/she eats them, your child needs to learn to recognize them as well.  It is important for a child to know they are eating vegetables, that they help him/her grow big and strong, and most importantly, that vegetables are delicious.  These meatballs are a good way to easily introduce those oh-so-important veggies.  I find this to be a great recipe where the veggies are chopped up enough and mixed into the meatball so that the flavors are combined, but the vegetables are still very noticeable in the dish.  I know it’s not common to find a toddler eating spinach Popeye style, but your child will  be very aware of the nutritious vegetables that are mixed inside these meatballs, and will be left asking for more.

 

Ingredients:

1/2 a medium sized yellow onion

4 baby carrots

1 small head of broccoli

1lb. ground white turkey meat

1lb. ground dark meat turkey

Olive oil

Breadcrumbs (GF brand Aleia’s are my favorite)

Salt and pepper to taste

Additional add-ins:

Parsley

Garlic Powder

Grated Pecorino Romano

 

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place the rack on the top shelf.

I start by cutting the onion and carrot into smaller pieces.  I then use my handy slap chop to cut the onion and carrot into smaller pieces (larger than a mince, but small enough to add texture to meat).  If no slap chop, use your knife to chop into fine pieces.

Heat your saute pan, then add 1tbsp. olive oil to heat as well.

Once the oil is hot, saute the onion and carrot together.

While the carrots and onions are sauteing, chop the broccoli into fine pieces and add to the pan.  Once you reach your preferred softness (about 5 minutes), remove the veggie mix from the pan and let cool in a separate bowl.

Put the saute pan back on the stove on medium heat, and add just a bit of olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.

In another bowl, add your white and dark ground turkey meat, salt and pepper to taste, and any other herbs and seasonings that your toddler likes.  I like to add garlic powder, parsley, and some grated pecorino romano.  Keep in mind, if you add some grated cheese that has a high salt content, use the extra salt sparingly (if at all) so you come away with meatballs that are mighty, not mighty salty ;)

I then sprinkle in some gluten free bread crumbs, just enough to coat the top of the meat mixture.

After the vegetables cool enough, I add them to the meat and mix everything together with my hands.

I start rolling the meatballs in my hands so they are big enough to fit in the mini muffin pan.  You can also use a regular cookie sheet.

Add each meatball to the saute pan and allow to brown on both sides.

Browned on both sides and placed in mini muffin pans

Once browned, add the meatballs to the mini muffin pan or cookie sheet, and place in the oven for about 10 minutes.  This will vary based on your oven, so I recommend checking them at around 7 minutes.  They should no longer be pink, but will be nice and moist on the inside.

This recipe lends itself to all different combinations of vegetables and add-ins.  Try other kinds of cheese, spices, quinoa (yes please!), bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms etc…  You can also serve them with all types of dipping sauces from sweet chili sauce, marinara sauce, tzatziki or yogurt sauce, or even plain.

They are also delicious if made with a mix of turkey and ground bison meat which has a great flavor and is very lean.  Even try ground lamb for your adventurous eater.  They are great on their own, with pasta, or even spaghetti squash.  Happy veggie eating!

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Posted in Kid friendly recipes, Toddler Recipes. Bookmark the permalink.

Thoughts About Mushy Brains, Mommy Super Powers, and Keg Stands

Posted on October 4, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

I recently had a bit of a mommy melt down.  Not some crazy, off the wall kinda thing… just one of those moments where one comment leads to something completely different which then opens up that proverbial can of worms, not being connected at all to the original discussion.  I can’t even really remember what the initial comment was (and you will know why in just a second) but I can tell you that everything whittled down to my frustration with my Mommy Brain.

Mom’s all around the world experience it.  I just recently read an article saying that Mommy Brain has no medical truth behind it, but the writer wasn’t a mom or even a woman.  He didn’t have two children, 2 and 6 months old.  He didn’t even have children.  I don’t care that it isn’t “scientifically proven.”  Mommy brain exists, and it is getting in the way of my sanity at the moment.

It is believed that from spending so much time with young children, an adult does not get the stimulation one requires.  I don’t feel that I am not getting proper stimulation for my brain.  Yes, I am a renewed master at the ABC’s (original and Elmo versions currently), can sing any Wiggles song on cue (and sometimes without realizing I am singing them while showering, folding laundry, etc…), do puzzles like a pro, and put all different shapes into their proper holes; I don’t feel like my brain is going to mush because of this.  I also do get to spend time with friends during play dates, try to read up on the news while nursing C for her early morning feed (love the iPad for this reason alone), read interesting articles about anything that could be affecting my family nutritionally, mentally, physically, socially, and everything else under the sun.  We get creative together, and get out of the house as much as possible.  I still feel like my brain has run away from me.

The thing that frustrates me is I read that said news on the iPad, but then can’t remember a thing I read.  I read up online about the latest health concerns or parenting advice, and as much as I get it while I read it, I can’t spit it back out to save my life.  Typing this right now, I find myself with all these thoughts I want to get out and then when it comes time to type it, I lose my words.

I lose my words a lot.

I just had a new neighbor over for a playdate, and save the fact that she is a new mom, too, she probably would have thought I was a bumbling idiot; my words just weren’t coming out, or I couldn’t find the word I wanted to say while talking mid-sentence.  Whoa, I am becoming a toddler.

I can’t even remember if I peed recently.  I’m not kidding.

Of course while freaking out in my head that I am losing my marbles, the fact that I never went to college always comes back to haunt me.  I have such an insecurity about it.  For those of you who don’t know, I went to a college prep high school, have brothers who are incredibly smart (and well educated), have an incredibly smart husband who went to a great college; I always planned on going to college like my high school peers, but a slew of things happened right before freshman year started that caused me to take a different path.  I started modeling assuming that it was temporary; I even took some college courses online while traveling and courses at FIT for design when I was home based for a bit, but my drop-of-the-hat traveling and unpredictable work schedule made it practically impossible.  I got myself through enough credits to technically be a sophomore, and I will probably be a sophomore in college for another 10 years (and by then, those credits won’t be applicable!).  Now, anytime that I am having these painful brain lapses, I keep reminding myself that I have been out of school for so long and, quite frankly, am becoming stupid.  It’s an awful thing to say, but it feels pretty awful sometimes, too.  I kinda feel like all my hard work in school is going to waste.  Anyone that I have spoken to about it says I am nuts (agreed), and that their college degree doesn’t get them far, if not anywhere, these days.  It still doesn’t make me feel better, or make my memory and brain come back to where they belong.

During my quasi-meltdown, Stefano stopped me and made a comment that made me realize the root of my problem:

I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in almost 3 years.

Hmm…

Stefano was right.

Since I got pregnant in December of 2008, I woke up at least once at night every night to go to the bathroom (that whole peeing constantly when you are far along in your pregnancy didn’t happen to me either time; it happened as soon as I got pregnant).  Then after R was born, I was up a few times at night.  She was a great sleeper, but I still never got a solid 8-9 hours sleep straight when she was a bit older because that would have required me to go to bed so early, I would never have spent time with Stef after he got home from work.  I became pregnant with C when R was 10 months old, and I was off the bathroom in the middle of the night all over again (actually how I realized I was pregnant the second time around ;) ).  Now, here I am still waking up anywhere from 4:30am (on those random, early wake up nights) to 6:00am (love those nights!).  Even on our vacation, I still had to wake up at 5am to pump so that my body continued producing milk as if C was with me.  Naps certainly help keep me going for the time being, but a nice dose of a full night’s sleep is what I could really use.  To be honest, I would require more than 8 hours straight at this point to really recharge, and consecutive nights would do my body some good.  R has become increasingly active and we are all over the place when she is awake, toting C on my hip, in her baby bjorn, or somehow attached to me while we are on our merry way.  I burn a lot of energy every day, and I am not sure where it all comes from.

This fog I am in is starting to make sense.  And so is this feeling of having ADD.  Toddlers have a very short attention span (no news to anyone out there), and I accommodate this trait.  Anytime R has herself occupied, I try to fold some more laundry, get some part of a meal together, pick up some toys.  I never get to finish anything.  I am always halfway through something and have to run off to something else.  No wonder I feel like my mind is on 15 different things.  It is.

Also, mommies have this amazing ability to always have one ear on a conversation and one ear on something else.  It’s a bit frustrating to friends without kids (and even to myself), but it’s just nature’s way of making sure you are taking care of your children.  No matter what, I subconsciously have one ear on a child in the background, or on a monitor listening to a sleeping baby, and not my full attention on a conversation.  I try, I promise that I do, but it’s a battle with my brain.  Even while sleeping, there is that part of me that is always aware of noises coming from the baby monitors… I swear I wake up (thinking for no reason) and seconds later I hear rustling blankets and little whimpers from a baby that needs my attention.  Half asleep, I go on auto pilot and do whatever needs to be done, get myself back to bed asap, and barely remember what happened by morning.  On the other hand, I have honed that amazing mommy ability to also tune out certain things as well.  I think it’s Mother Nature’s way to make sure our brains don’t explode.  It’s greatly appreciated.

I also think it is part of Mother Nature’s plan to have moms be a bit forgetful.  If you remembered everything, there would probably be an awful lot of single children, because all moms know if we remembered everything, we probably wouldn’t have more kids.

So I decided to look up “mommy brain” online to see what information I could find and what would be involved in getting my brain back.  Not surprisingly, there were lots of moms out there with the same concerns, but interestingly, I found some information that I didn’t expect.

It has been proven that parts of a new mother’s brain actually grow. Hmm so my brain is growing… I have hope!

Granted, this doesn’t mean that I can go get a 1600 on the SATs.  But, what good would that do me right now, anyway?  My brain is doing the important things it needs to do right now, and at the end of the day, that is the most valuable thing.  Right now, I can’t tell you what I read on USA Today just a few hours ago, or what I even did last Thursday, but that information isn’t currently valuable.  I can distinguish between tired or hungry cries, or those of discomfort.  I can tell you why a certain behavior is occurring even though it seems totally out of nowhere to an outsider.  I can’t remember most things, but I can tell you exactly where I last saw R’s doll’s dress in the back of her cabinet full of toys, on the left side, under the blocks and potato heads, and where not to walk in our house full of creaky wooden floors so not to wake the sleeping baby on my shoulder; insignificant information to anyone else, but utterly imperative for us.

So, for now, I need to cut myself some slack, continue doing what I am doing, and be comforted by the fact I will be getting consecutive sleep again one day, and hopefully reclaim control over this mushy feeling brain. 

At that point, if I still find it important, I will get myself that college degree I hold so valuable.  Don’t get me wrong, I would never trade the experience and life lessons I gained while modeling instead of going to college.  I find myself really offended by the stereotype that models are all stupid, but unfortunately my lackluster brain has only been validation (adding to my insecurities as well).  Well, it’s true it doesn’t take a brain to be in a picture, but it certainly doesn’t take a brain to do a keg stand, either.  I learned to navigate my way through airports, train stations, metros, and maps in foreign languages.  I earned my thick skin after being faced with an abundance of rejection.  I acquired a serious appreciation for different cultures by living in unknown places, alone, not to mention with people I have never met who all speak different languages themselves.  I gained confidence you can only get by being thrown out of your comfort zone and finding your way back thanks to no one but you.  I wouldn’t be the person and mommy I am today if it wasn’t for the path I took right out of high school.  It always helps to have non mommy-brained person remind me of this and give me some prospective.  I have a very supportive and patient hubby who does this for me often (thank you!).

There is also no degree you can earn that gives you the mommy instinct you possess once you have your baby.

We mushy brained mommies just need supportive, patient, and understanding people in our lives who will help us along while our brains seem to be failing us.  For now, I need to accept my loss of words, foggy memory, and half finished projects around the house, and take a look at my incredibly happy, healthy, and loving children to remind me that my brain is serving me just fine.

I am so grateful that I am a stay at home mom and see these girls everyday, because thanks to that fuzzy memory of mine, I can use a lot of reminding :)

Do you feel like you have Mommy Brain?

If so, how do you cope with it?

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Speaking Without Words

Posted on September 29, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

When R was born, I couldn’t wait until she could communicate with me.  It was so exciting to think that one day we would be having conversations and she would be telling me what she liked or needed.  That time seemed so far away.  I prepared myself by reading up on how to deal with infant frustration, crying, tantrums, etc.  I pictured myself frantically running around grabbing toys or sippy cups or food and showing her each thing while she just cried louder and harder because she couldn’t tell me what she wanted and was getting increasingly frustrated.

I never dealt with that scenario.

I found baby sign language.

great book

When I first read about baby sign language, the whole premise behind it really appealed to me.  It’s a known fact that babies have thoughts and feelings before they can verbally communicate them, and babies can also understand a language before they can speak it.  The idea of taking advantage of this desire to communicate, and the ability to do so without waiting until R could verbally communicate with me was exciting.  I read on about other benefits of baby sign language, which include:

  • Reduced fussiness and outbursts- Babies are known for their tantrums and outbursts, and they most often occur when a baby gets frustrated.  By being able to communicate and have his/her needs met, a signing family will experience far less outbursts due to alleviated frustration.  Baby will have her needs provided for and will leave the guesswork out for the parents.
  • Increased sense of trust- When a baby tells you what they need and you fulfill that need, baby learns that she can trust that “Mommy or Daddy can do this for me.”
  • Signing can allow baby to tell her parents if she is in pain and where.
  • Learning to sign stimulates baby’s spatial reasoning and cognitive skills development.
  • Signing teaches baby how communication works and how to be part of a conversation.
  • Babies that sign tend to speak earlier than non-signers and  have a larger vocabulary to draw from earlier on.
  • Signing becomes a fun game once your baby gets the hang of it, which peaks baby’s interest in learning more.

There is one common misconception about baby sign language which is that it delays baby’s speech.  This has been proven to be the exact opposite of the truth;  it has been found that learning sign language has no connection to delayed speech, but is linked to earlier communication and a larger vocabulary.  The important thing to remember when signing is to continue talking to your baby and say the words that you are signing.

I started using sign language with R when she was about 4 months old.  One should also keep in mind that your baby will not start signing back to you right away, so do not get discouraged.  It is the constant repetition that will help your baby learn the language, and it will take some time.  Many sites and books will say not to start signing until baby is 6 months old purely based on the fact that many parents get bored with signing after a few months of no signing back.  I remained persistent and after a few months of signing all the time, R suddenly started signing back to me, then she learned new signs very quickly.

The signs I started with were:

  • Mommy
  • Daddy
  • Milk
  • Change diaper
  • Eat
  • Grandmom
  • Grandpop
  • More
  • I love you

“More” was R’s first sign used while I was feeding her some solids around 7.5 months of age.  Instead of wondering if she was fussing because she had a tummy ache, wanted to be out of her seat, was finished eating, or wanted more, I knew right away she was still hungry, all thanks to her use of the sign.

I added more signs like:

  • Please
  • Thank You
  • All done
  • Sleep
  • Bath
  • Play
  • Bird
  • Poop
  • Potty

The latter signs helped me with elimination communication.  I was able to start R on the potty at 9 months of age and she would do the sign for “potty” or “poop” when she had to go.  It made potty training much more manageable, and made my life a lot easier.

I loved how we were able to communicate effectively, and how it also motivated R to speak to me with her words.  I feel like she gained a lot of confidence when she saw that her communication was effective, and I am sure the excitement on my face gave her the idea that Mommy was very happy with what was going on :)

signing "more"

I can’t say it enough; I found sign language to be such an amazing tool.  I would recommend it to everyone with a baby.  The best part is other family members can join in on the conversation.  Grandmom, Grandpop, Nonna, and Nonno were all able to learn the signs and use them with R, which made watching R easier on them as well.  The benefits of early communication were huge for us and I can’t wait for Bina to start using it, too.  I already see her expression change when I make the sign for milk, and I have recently noticed she stops fussing when she sees the sign that she is about to be fed.

It is also never too late to start.  Babies, toddlers, big kids, and even adults are continuously learning their own spoken language and signing is no different.

Baby sign language= communicating baby= happy baby= happy Mommy= happy family :)


Here are some more links on baby sign language:

Baby Sign Language

Some Intellectual Benefits of Sign Language

Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Baby Sign Language

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Damn You Dirty Cutting Board

Posted on September 27, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

There is one rule I really try to follow when it comes to my daily end of the day routine… clean the kitchen.  After Stef and I eat, we usually make a point to clean it up before we do anything else, so that by the end of our night, when we are exhausted, the chore of tidying up is already done and we can just head to bed and pass out.

Last night we didn’t clean the kitchen…

…today was hell.

Bina is now at that point in her development where she is transitioning to just two naps a day.  This is always a rough time for an infant because certain days they are extra cranky and out of sorts thanks to their shifting schedule.  It is difficult for a parent, too, because just when you think you can start making plans to do something, your baby isn’t up for the two nap schedule that day.  Or even worse, they are so over tired and skip those long naps all together.  Bina, luckily, hasn’t missed naps, but it is difficult for her because we also have R’s schedule to work with, so she can’t always get that restful sleep (in her crib) that she needs.  I have also been finding myself with days of one up, one down… Bina naps for a few hours, wakes up, R goes down for a few hours, wakes up, Bina goes back down for a few hours, wakes up, then it’s just about time to go to sleep for the night.  It doesn’t leave me any time to run out of the house with them, or with much time to get things done around the house.

Today, Bina was very much out of rhythm, and she woke up at 4:40am instead of her 6am wake up she has been starting to follow.  I knew from that moment that today would be a day to write off…

Luckily, I was able to nurse Bina and her and myself back to bed by around 5:30am.  I caught a few more zzz’s and then got up when R woke around 7:15.  Poor R was soaked, so we stripped her and her bed and went to the washing machine.  R got dressed and said she was hungry.  We got ourselves to the kitchen and BAM, ahhh yes, I didn’t clean the kitchen last night.  I distracted R with her chalk board and doll and got to cleaning.  The sink was full, counters had dirty pans and the like, the dish rack was full.  Then, I saw the thing that bothers me more than anything… a dirty cutting board.  I hate a dirty kitchen, don’t get me wrong, but a dirty cutting board is my ultimate pet peeve.  I use the cutting board all day, and there is nothing grosser to me than one that has dirty utensils and crusted on god-knows-what all over the surface.  I can navigate my way around a dirty kitchen if I must, but a dirty cutting board is just downright skeevy.  I rushed through cleaning everything, scrubbed the cutting board clean, and hurriedly whipped up some french toast.  I felt like I was in a frenzy, tearing through the dishes, putting clean ones away, wiping up messes, separating R and Mochi (he has been her punching bag recently, poor guy), cleaning up, making a mess all over again, and then cleaning up again.  It wasn’t how I liked it, but the kitchen was manageable now.  I heard Bina stirring so I quickly chowed down on my breakfast and went to go get her.  I was already exhausted and it was just 8:35am.  There is nothing worse than starting your morning this way.  I remember now why I make a point to clean the kitchen, or AT LEAST the cutting board.  So gross.

Bina woke up wet, too (just one of those days, I guess), so I stripped her bed and rushed her stuff to the washing machine, then raced back to supervise as R finished her french toast.  Everything was fine for a few minutes while R finished eating her breakfast, I nursed Bina, and we headed into the playroom.  Then something came over R.  For whatever reason, she became an obnoxious toddler who pushed every button I had; new ones I didn’t even know existed.  R was grabbing things from the laundry basket that I just folded, taking Bina’s toys, bothering Mochi, kept taking her pants off then getting frustrated when she couldn’t get them back on, the list goes on… She was testing me beyond belief, and as much as I wanted to remain calm, she was starting to win.  She would cry, then Bina would cry, then Mochi was crying to be let out, then crying to come back in.  Breathe Mommy, b r e a t h e. 

Then she started to throw things, and I lost it.  I have never raised my voice to my girls, and today I broke that streak.  I yelled “stop it” and she just kind of froze.  Then I saw a look on her face that was a mix of “yikes” and “ooh this is funny” and a little devilish glint in her eye that let me know that if we didn’t get out of this house, I was going to pull my hair out.  I felt awful and hate that I lost my cool :(   On top of being frustrated with R, I was angry at myself.  The mood in the house was suffocating; I was tensing up and needed fresh air.  It was time to go to the beach.

It’s a dismal, gray day here but our local beach has an awesome playground, and that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.  Wide open space, the sound of the water and seagulls, a light breeze, swings, and tons of slides and things to climb were going to help release this tension and crazy energy.  We stayed for 40 minutes and R asked to go home.  Aaahhh relief.

I felt better already and could see that R was starting to get tired, so we could head home, have some lunch (in the clean kitchen woot!!) and everyone could nap.

Then we get in the car, and that little wave of craziness rushes over R once again.  She wanted whatever toy Bina was holding, she wanted to hold my keys, she wanted to go back to the beach, she wanted my water and when I gave it to her she threw it on the ground.  Who is this child?!?!?!  Just two miles, just one mile, home at last.

I knew at this point that I just needed to get through the next 30 minutes of feeding, washing, and getting ready for naps.  I knew Bina was tired, too, and would be fussy.  At least I knew that in a short 30 minutes (eternity) I would get peace.

I start getting food out of the fridge to prepare, and I notice the dirty cutting board. DAMN YOU DIRTY CUTTING BOARD!  It made me want to cry.  I know it sounds ridiculous.  It was just my last straw.  So, instead, I found some leftovers in the fridge that didn’t require anything else but a little reheating.  No cutting board use required.  No washing the disgusting, jerk of a cutting board.  I got the meal ready, sat with R to eat, remained calm and probably eerily quiet (from my end, she was gabby and in happy toddler land), and rushed her off to sleep.  She continued to test my patience throughout the entire process but I kept it together by a thread.

Bina went down with no problem.

And currently, I sit here typing this post instead of napping, because I needed this release.  Now, I will go nap.

No, now I will go wash the cutting board.

I will go take my much deserved rest, wake up refreshed, and have a clean cutting board waiting for me, all sparkly and fresh.

Today I will take what I can get… and tonight, I will make sure the kitchen is clean.  Tomorrow is a new day.

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WITH child: Photographs by Howard Schatz

Posted on September 23, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

I had the privilege to shoot with Howard when I was 38 weeks pregnant with R, then again when R was just 2 months old, and again when Bina was 2 months old.  His photographs capture the beauty of a woman’s body transformed by pregnancy, and then the undeniable love and bond between a mother and her newborn.

Howard has just released his book WITH child: Photographs by Howard Schatz.  The photographs are breathtaking.

This hardcover boasts 150 black and white photos of the photographer’s pregnancy study that has been 20 years in the making.  It is a beautiful gift idea for a Mommy or Mommy-to-be!

Take a look at the WITH child facebook page as well as Howard’s other incredible work @ www.howardschatz.com

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Where Do I Begin?

Posted on September 22, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

September 11th will always be a day forever etched in my mind.  I was 18 and just moved to NYC by myself.  I knew no one, and moved into a model apartment just two weeks prior to that awful day.  I remember being scared and confused and in utter disbelief.  This past year marked 10 years since the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, and it remains a solemn day.

That is why I didn’t even realize that this September 11, 2011 was National Grandparents Day.  It’s something worth celebrating.

I had the greatest Grandmom growing up.  She was there for every holiday, dance recital, school performance, and vacation.  She cooked dinner for the family every Sunday and taught us how to play cards.  We would cook with her and she would tell us stories about her childhood.  She was the kind of grandmother that every child deserves.  In the last few hours of her life, I told my Grandmom to watch over my unborn baby girl, and she nodded her head and gave me a smile with the little strength and life she had left.  My Grandmom passed away when I was 5 months pregnant with R.  Now R has my Grandmom’s name, Anna, as one of her middle names, and she has an amazing guardian angel to guide her through this life.

I wish she could have met her great granddaughters.  I miss her very much.

Grandpop and Grandmom

I now get to see my parents as grandparents, and they are just as amazing as my grandmother was.  Stefano’s parents are now grandparents 7 times over, and are awesome grandparents as well.  I always wished for my children to one day have 1 grandparent as loving and generous and involved as my Grandmom was.  R and C have 4.

My parents and in-laws are our life savers.  Nonna (Stef’s mom) will hop on the train and stay here with the girls as soon as I call her about a last minute casting.  She loves to find adventures for R to go on and whips up amazing meals.  Grandmom (my mom) comes up at the drop of a hat, all the way from Baltimore.  She always has such creative things to do, and special things for everyone.  Both grandmoms were here before/after C was born.  My mom became my life support for those overwhelming weeks that I was a new mother of two.  My parents also watched R and C while Stef and I took a trip to Turks and Caicos.  The grandparents bring such joy to my babies, it’s beyond heart warming.  R and C love and trust them so much, and look forward to seeing them every time they come up.  They know they are going to have fun.

National Grandparents Day now means more to me than ever.  One day to say thank you honestly isn’t enough.

Words aren’t enough.

I couldn’t even make an entire blog devoted to what R and C’s grandparents do for them and what value they bring to our lives.  It just wouldn’t be enough.

So how on earth do I repay them?  I don’t know how to begin to thank those 4 amazing people for all the love they bring to my babies and into my home, the security they instill in my girls, and the confidence they bring forth.  R and C are surrounded by so much love and support.  The grandparents are always there when we need them, whether for physical help with the girls (they do everything), an ear for advice, or a little encouragement telling me “it may be hard, but you are doing the right thing.“ 

My mom and I have developed such a special relationship now that I have become a mom.  Even though we had our typical mother/daughter moments, we were close growing up.  But, now, I see things with Mommy eyes and have gained this sudden understanding of all those things I couldn’t comprehend when I was younger.  I have a new level of appreciation for everything she sacrificed (although she would never use that word to describe what she did as a mother) and all the love she put into everything she did (and continues to do) for her own children.  My mom has become my confidante, and I have never seen her light up so much as she does when she is around my little girls.  Becoming a grandmom has given her this purpose and spark that I can’t explain, and I am so happy she shares the love I have for my beautiful girls.  She is sitting here, right now, as I write (not knowing what I am writing about) and making C giggle herself to hiccups.

She amazes me.  I remember all those years of hearing “you will understand when you have kids…” and she was absolutely right.  I get it now.  I totally get it.  I know I will be saying the same things to R and C one day…

Growing up in my house, I am certainly not surprised that my parents are the way they are as grandparents.  Ask any friend of mine, they will tell you my parents welcomed everyone with open arms, were beyond generous, and were also extremely supportive.

Nonno and Nonna

Once I met Stefano’s parents, I knew they were very similiar, and were grandparents who were already greatly loved.  I feel so lucky to have the relationship that I do with my in-laws.

Something changes in Grandmom, Grandpop, Nonna, and Nonno’s eyes when they walk in the door and are greeted by two little smiles.  It’s something greater than love.

I am sorry I missed National Grandparent’s Day.  Next year, it is September 9th and I have it marked on my calendar.  But every day, it is in the forefront of my mind and visible in my babies’ smiles.

Thank you Grandmom, Grandpop, Nonna, and Nonno.  For everything.

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… And Then My Life Changed Forever

Posted on September 20, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

These are the birth stories of R and C.

I want to share my story for no other reason than to let women hear a positive birth story. Women are surrounded by a negative depiction of birth, and I hope my story shows that it’s not always that way.  I also want it to be known that I support any mother’s right to make an informed decision regarding whatever method she chooses to welcome her baby into this world.

Like many little girls, I knew I wanted to grow up and have kids.  I also knew that this meant I would have to give birth, and that giving birth was supposedly the most painful thing you would ever experience.  My mom had all four of us naturally and I thought she was insane.  I saw all those movies and TV shows with women screaming their heads off, cursing their husbands, and begging for relief.  That was some scary stuff.  Why in the hell would you ever want to do that without pain medication?  My cousin is actually a nurse anesthetist and I told her she would need to be on call for me the day that I have my baby.  Then, I got pregnant.  I was so excited and so scared at the same time.  I HATE hospitals… they are grim places of sickness and sadness.  Oh, and I was 8 months away from being in the worst pain of my life (yikes, a month already passed by!).  I was going to be that next woman scared out of her mind and screaming for an epidural, just like those moms-to-be in “A Baby Story.” Did I mention I am scared to death of needles?  For as long as I can remember, I have been so scared of getting my blood drawn, that I would have to spend an hour in the doctor’s office after it being taken.  This was all because I would pass out, every single time, without fail.  How in the hell was I going to have a baby???

I started reading all about what to expect and what was in involved.

A friend told me I have to watch The Business of Being Born so I went home and got on Netflix.  I found The Business of Being Born on demand, and then it was time to convince my equally scared husband to watch a movie about birthing.  Although he wasn’t the one giving birth in a few months, Stef was made nervous after hearing friends’ countless chaotic and dramatic accounts of the births of their children.  We got into bed and ordered up the flick. I told him let’s just give it a shot.  It’s going to be us in less than 8 months anyway.

87 minutes go by and I turn to Stefano with tears in my eyes and say, “I’m going to do this.  I’m going to have my baby naturally and with as little intervention as possible.”

The Business of Being Born made a great point that struck a nerve… women are taught to fear birth.  That’s where my tears came from, because that was me; I was scared to death.  I decided that I wanted to beat this fear by arming myself with information.  I wanted to feel like I was the one in control of my pregnancy and labor.

I was currently seeing an OB/GYN in a huge practice at Beth Israel Medical Center.  I was just a number there and not even a number in the triple digits.  This doctor had no idea who I was and didn’t have the time to find out.  I already had a bad taste in my mouth.  Stefano and I were in the waiting room with the third appointment of the morning, and in typical fashion we were waiting forever.  A very pregnant woman was sitting there before us noticeably uncomfortable in her chair.  This was the second or third appointment that Stef was able to make with me and he turned to the pregnant woman asking “is it like this every single time?”  “Well yes, it is,” she replied. The actual appointments were also very quick and impersonal.  To be fair, that’s not the doctor’s fault.  She is allotted 15 minutes max per patient (unless there is an emergency) due to insurance rules.  I questioned my doctor about epidurals and her C-section rate, and her response was very aloof, if not a bit arrogant.  She certainly saw me as another one of those women who was bothering her with questions and she gave me a little laugh while essentially telling me I would be needing an epidural in the least and don’t think otherwise.  C-sections weren’t out of the question either.  Why?  I am having a pregnancy that was as low risk as you can get.  Now I have a high chance of C-section?!  Whoops, there goes the 15 minutes, see ya later!  Ugh.  Here is where I decided to do something even more outside of the box;  I decided to give birth at a birth center.  I really wanted to give natural delivery a shot and I knew that wouldn’t happen without the support of my doctor.  That was made very clear in less than 15 minutes.

There are not many free standing birth centers around anymore but luckily there is one just 40 minutes from our new house.  The Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center was my ticket.  Stef and I took the trek out there while still living in NYC and right away it was worth the long drive.  The center was just as high tech as a conventional doctor’s office.  The midwives knew who I was without looking at their charts.  They spent as much time as I needed.  They asked about my emotional well being and allowed me to take control and make my own decisions.  They supported me and we were on this journey together; they weren’t the ones responsible, but just there to guide me.  For me, this was how it was meant to be.  The Childbirth Center was also owned and overseen by 3 practicing OB/GYNs and located right across from the hospital; in the event that any intervention was required, you were literally a stone’s throw away from getting the help you needed.  This was reassuring to me and Stefano.

After meeting at the birth center, I was introduced to the idea of hypnobirthing.  The name sounded a little cheesy to me, but I was intrigued by the idea.  I also knew I couldn’t assume that I could just waltz in and give birth naturally without having some coping tools.  You wouldn’t go take a test in school without preparing, and I wanted to have ample knowledge to give me the confidence that was required.  I also enlisted the help of a doula (birthing companion who provides support and helps keep you on track with your birthing techniques during labor.  Her name is Alice and she was great.)  So down this path of crunchiness I went, free of patchouli oil and Birkenstocks, but surrounded by reassurance and support.  I found a hypnobirthing instructor in Manhattan and Stef and I took our first class.

I found myself in this old apartment with an even older and very sweet, uber-crunchy woman showing me videos about birth and telling me to go deep within myself.  Where the hell am I and how did I get here?  Rainbow relaxation, deep calm voices, finding that special place?  What have I gotten myself into?  With my eyes closed, I could sense my husband about to start cracking up laughing and I couldn’t control myself.  We turned into two little kids giggling during sex-ed.  It didn’t make the hypno instructor too happy, but I have to say I love Stef for that.  This was all so foreign and so not me, but it lightened me up.  I realized that, as important as being pregnant and giving birth is, I want to ENJOY it and not take it so seriously all the time.  I’m a light hearted person and I needed to carry that along.  So back I went to these classes, learning how to keep my giggling to myself, but also truly learning how to get myself into that “place.”  I really practiced and got myself to relax.  Whoa, maybe this is really working.  Hypnobirthing also teaches you different vocabulary; surges instead of contractions, pressure instead of pain.  This I find really important and also a good life lesson.  Sometimes changing the way we say things (even though we mean the same thing) will turn something negative or scary into something much more manageable.  I find it is best not to reinforce negativity.  Just like when you have a headache; keep telling yourself how bad it hurts and it just hurts worse; stop reminding yourself about it all together and the pain will dissipate much faster.  This is also the theory behind hypnobirthing (which is a method that can also be used in other situations other than birth, like getting blood drawn or while experiencing anything uncomfortable).  You are getting yourself into a place that is manageable and positive, and reminding yourself that you are in control and progressing.  Love that.  Now they tell you with hypnobirthing that you need to practice and I practiced e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y.  I do believe that’s the only way it’s going to work for you.  Plus, it’s forced relaxation.  Ahh those were the good old days ;)

My pregnancy was going smoothly.  I was also working quite a bit doing maternity shoots.  I booked a Maybelline TV commercial (they wanted someone pregnant) and shot with Christy Turlington!  We sat getting our make-up done and talked about natural childbirth.  She had her babies naturally in a hospital affiliated birth center in NYC (sadly, now closed).  It was nice hearing her story and, um, did I mention this was Christy Turlington?  How cool is that?  She was super nice and very reassuring.  Sadly, my part in the commercial didn’t make the cut, but gabbing about babies with Christy for 3 hours was worth the time spent :)

At seven months pregnant, we made the physical move to our new house in Connecticut.  It was June and absolutely beautiful.  I spent the rest of the summer getting things ready for the baby, working here and there, taking long walks, and going from floating in the pool to relaxing in the hammock under the trees.  I was a pretty comfortable preggie, I must say :) .

34 weeks pregnant shooting for Nordstrom in Seattle

I took one last job when I was 34 weeks pregnant, and this time it was to Seattle.  That flight was no fun.  Even worse, they had me fly out and spend the night, shoot the next day and then take the red-eye home!  I was one exhausted and uncomfortable mama-to-be.  Once that job was done, I was done, too.  Now all that was left to do was have my baby.

A few weeks later, I woke at 4:45am on a Friday when those surges started.  Holy crap I am having a baby today!   I can tell you honestly that I wasn’t scared.  I felt so prepared and already felt how my breathing and calm was helping the labor along.  I can do this.  The early labor surges were consistent but I was able to go about my business for most of the day.  Stefano was cleaning the house like a madman, and I made the phone calls to family and the midwives to let them know I thought today was the day.  The surges stopped between noon and 3 and then started back up again, becoming stronger in the next few hours.  I decided to take a long walk around the neighborhood with Stefano in hopes of moving things along.  As we were walking, talking was getting harder during a surge and I found myself having to stop walking when the surge started.  This was the beginning of active labor and we went home so I could get myself into the shower.  Active labor was much more uncomfortable, and the water on my back really helped.  There was no need to scream or tense up.  I just followed what my body wanted and made sure I didn’t fight it; I moved around.  The birth center requires that you are at least 4 cm dilated and this is where Alice (my doula) was super handy- how in the hell was I supposed to know?  She was there in my home late that night watching my signs of progressing labor.  She let us know when she thought I was ready to take that brutal 40 minute drive.  Off we went (in hurricane rain may I add) with me arriving ass first in our four door clenching onto the passenger seat for dear life.  I think that was the worst part of the whole experience; I was restrained to my seat and couldn’t move around as my body wanted.

I waddled out of the car and into the center where Sarah (my midwife) was waiting, got checked (I was 4 cm) and went straight into the tub where I got into “that place.”  I don’t have much memory of this portion and I was totally in the zone.  Poor Stefano and Alice were sitting next to the tub getting as much excitement as they would watching a dead person… needless to say I wasn’t making any conversation.  After an hour and a half, I remember thinking to myself that if it gets any worse I am going to need an epidural and that this damn hypno wasn’t working (all the while I was still in my zone and not really making a peep, so Stefano and Alice had no knowledge of this inner conversation I was having).  This was getting intense.  Sarah had me get out to check my progress and wouldn’t you know in that amount of time I went from 4 cm to 9 cm, my water broke, and was just about ready to start pushing (oh I guess my hypno was working after all!).  I stayed out of the tub and got situated on a birthing stool with Stef supporting me.  Not how I planned (I planned a water birth), but it’s what my body was telling me it needed, so I didn’t fight it.  My body knew what I needed more than anyone else.  Here again I felt very present, but do not have any memory of it being intensely “painful”;  It was a lot of pressure and discomfort.  I do distinctly remember the nurse checking for the fetal heartbeat and finding it to be 68 which Sarah said was impossible.  She checked again to find R’s heart beat to be around 120 something and then realized the heart beat that was 68 was mine- that is a resting heart beat.  I was in the midst of actively pushing and had myself so relaxed that I had the heart rate of someone who just woke up.

Hypnobirthing really worked for me.

Shortly after, I delivered my beautiful baby girl.  In an instant, I went from being in a completely altered state to having an absolute rush of energy.  My body was surging with adrenaline and love and amazement at everything that just happened.  My life changed forever at 3:24am.

My first delivery was about 5 or so hours of active labor including 1 hour of pushing.  I DID IT!

6lbs. 7oz. and just a few hours old

Because no drugs are administered at the birth center, there are no side effects to worry about and you don’t have to be supervised while anything wears off.   Once you deliver, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 12 hours.  Stef and I layed in bed with R swaddled in between us, and we spent our first few hours together.  The nurse would check in on us and was available for the entire 12 hours if we needed her.  We tried to get some sleep, although that great rush of adrenaline didn’t make it very possible.  Then, it was time to take that drive back home and introduce our little angel to her home.

R at 5 days old

Photo for NY Post article about hypnobirthing courtesy of Tamara Beckwith

to read the NY Post article, click here

10 months later, what do you know?… I’m pregnant!  Here we go again.  Time to re-crunchify and get set for number two.  Without hesitation, I made an appointment to see the midwives at the birth center and I called my doula.  I started my hypno practice around month 6.  It was a little harder to find the time to practice during this pregnancy, but I made sure that I did.  I wanted everything to go as smoothly as last time.

Everyone told me the second time around would be more intense but also faster.  “More intense?  You mean more painful?”  What was that supposed to mean?  Ok, ok, remember painful is not the right word.  Back on track, Annalyce.  You did this before and you can do it again…

My labor started out just like my labor with R… it was 4:45am on a Friday morning and I woke up with those early labor surges.  My day continued just like any other day and the surges were a steady 7 minutes apart, but completely manageable (could easily talk through them).  Then around noon they stopped.  When I was in labor with R, this exact pattern occurred, and then the surges started back up around 3.  Well, 3pm rolled around, then it was 4,5, and nothing was happening.  Hmm maybe it was a false alarm.  I’ll go lay down and do some hypno practice to see if that can start things up again…

I woke with a jolt at 6:32pm with some intense, active labor contractions.  BAM it was progressing!  I went from zero to sixty in no time and got myself right into the shower.  I was laboring and having Stef and my mom keep track of my surges and shortly after, Stefano said it was time to go.  “What?  I have only been in here for 20 minutes there is no way” (in a strained and much less audible voice… I wasn’t able to talk much at this point).  Before I had this baby I was told to follow the 4-1-1- rule which is a 1 minute long surge every 4 minutes for an hour.  I wasn’t even close to an hour, but I was in no condition to contest.  In the back of my mom’s SUV I went, glad not to be arriving ass first this time, and with more room to move around as my body needed.  While in the back I remember thinking to myself, “damn all those people telling me it’s more intense… it’s way more intense.”  I was going to need an epidural.  This time it was really, really tough.

It was 8pm, we got to the birth center in 30 minutes (thank you Hubby for pulling your best Mario Andretti) and I got checked.  At 8:03pm my midwife, Jamie, says “9cm.”  WHAT?!#@%  I got myself into the bath tub, pushed once and my water broke, pushed again as Stefano just walked in with the rest of our stuff from the car.  One more push and at 8:10pm I literally reached down and delivered my beautiful second daughter…

… and with that came that familiar and overwhelming wave of energy and love and things you will never feel at any other time than after your baby enters the world.  I had it all over again, and for the second time, my life changed forever.

7lbs. 3 oz. A few minutes old and wide awake!

7 minutes.  I had my baby in 7 minutes.

Hypnobirthing is the real deal.

I also learned that when I think I need an epidural, I am about to have a baby.

What a rush.  I literally almost had a baby in the back of my car.  Ahem, my mom’s car.  Thank god Stef told me we were leaving when he did, and thank god he got all the stuff out of the car fast enough to be there when Bina was born!  You should have seen our faces… total shock.  Yes, this time was more intense.

Just like last time, Stef and I stayed at the birth center for almost the entire 12 hours that we were allowed.  Bina was swaddled in between us, and we just stared at her with amazement.  This time around, I felt much more mobile post-delivery.  I also knew what to expect of recovery and was familiar with the strangeness of a body that went from being pregnant for 9 months to suddenly having nothing inside my belly.  Even though all of those feelings were familiar, there was still a part of me that felt like I had a baby for the first time again.  I was already a Mommy to a 19 month old, but Bina was a brand new baby and some of those new parent nerves came rushing back.  She was so little and delicate and so reliant on me.  I suddenly realized how much I love this stage of life and also how quickly it goes away.  These were Bina’s first minutes of life and the only time she will have with just Daddy and I before we head home and introduce her to her amazing big sister.  I relished every minute, and remember it like it was yesterday.  I feel like I could do this over and over again…

Bina at 1 week

I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to experience my births exactly how I had hoped and I feel my life will never be the same.  I have so much more respect for my body, it’s power, and what it can endure, as well as the power of the mind.  There is no sensation in this world that can compare to carrying and delivering a baby, and I have been changed forever by those unbelievable experiences.  I am also incredibly grateful that there was a facility nearby that supported my plan.  It’s such a shame that these birth centers barely exist anymore.  Having such personal and supportive health care is so rare these days and was such a gift.  I am also happy that I faced my fear head on by taking advantage of all the information out there and making a decision that worked for me.  Looking back, I never would have imagined in a thousand years that I would have been able to do this, and I am pretty good at getting my blood drawn now, too ;)

Thank you to my husband, family, doula, and midwives for supporting my choices.  I beat my fear.  Twice.

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Happy 6 Months!

Posted on September 18, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

My Beans is 6 months old today.  Starting today, she is able to sit up unassisted for a few moments, and is cutting her first tooth!  She is such a big girl already, and I can’t believe it was this time last year that I was just about 3 months pregnant.

Happy 6 month birthday Big Girl!

WE LOVE YOU!

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Frittata

Posted on September 16, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

I love to cook.  I didn’t always have this sense of enjoyment when I would make food.  In the past, it was whatever I could whip up quickly so I could eat and run.  Then I found out I had a gluten intolerance, and I was cooking because anything you bought outside either tasted like cardboard or wasn’t really gluten free and made me sick.  Then I met Stefano.  He is Italian, straight from Italy.  His mother is Italian, straight from Italy.  Put 2 and 2 together… he is an Italian son who eats his mama’s delicious Italian home cooking.  She whips up rabbit like it’s nothing and makes a mean souffle.  Her lasagna is divine and she also has this ability to cook a delicious meal out of scraps left over in a fridge.  She is an awesome cook… I was doomed.

I was always so nervous to cook for Stef (he had no idea).  I knew there was no way I could compete.  Plus, he was also exposed to way more types of food than I was and had a palate that was much more experienced than mine.  But, I gained a real appreciation for cuisine through traveling,  I love food, and loved that it was something that we were both passionate about.  Deep down, I wanted to cook well.  I started trying.

Lucky for me, Stef was interested in taking cooking classes himself, so he came home and taught me the basics.

Then I had R.

I knew that I wanted to cook for her as soon as she could have solids.  I liked the idea of knowing exactly what was going into her body and where every thing came from.  The best part is, in the beginning, baby food is so basic that I knew I could slowly add flavors to see what she liked and not have to do anything fancy.  We were going to grow together- me as her chef and her as the taster.  I like to think Stefano certainly benefited as well :)

Now it’s a few years later and I think I have come a long way.  I am much more comfortable in the kitchen and have found some great go-to recipes that are packed with nutrition, easy to make, and most importantly, they are delicious.

Now I find myself packing lunches three days a week and I wanted to make something else other than a sandwich.  My meal of choice is the frittata.

Frittatas are great because they are healthy, can be eaten cold, are great finger foods, and help use up leftovers in the fridge.  You can make them with just about anything which also makes them easy to make over and over without getting bored with the same old flavor.

Here is my basic recipe where you can add any other additions you want:

  1. Chop up onion and carrot into a fine chop (slap chop is great here if you have one)
  2. Chop up other veggies you want to add (we like red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus)
  3. Heat a saute pan then add some olive oil to heat before throwing in the veggies
  4. Saute until you reach desired doneness (I prefer not to cook too much since they will continue to cook in the oven)
  5. Remove veggies from pan and allow to cool a bit
  6. Put your oven rack to the top position and turn on your broiler to hi
  7. In a separate bowl, beat two eggs and add salt and pepper to taste.  I also like to add a dash of garlic powder if no fresh garlic was added to the saute pan
  8. Add the beaten eggs to the bowl of sauteed vegetables
  9. Place saute pan back on stove over medium heat with either olive oil or a little bit of butter (to keep egg from sticking)
  10. Add the egg/vegetable mixture to the pan and allow it to spread along the bottom of the pan.
  11. Cook the egg mixture without touching it.  It will set on the bottom and then start to bubble on the top (top will not be cooked)
  12. Take the saute pan off the heat and put it under the broiler for another few minutes.  Each broiler is different, so watch your frittata and cook until the top is a light golden brown
  13. Remove from the oven and place immediately onto a plate (otherwise it will continue cooking)
  14. Serve warm or cold

There are many ways to adjust this recipe.  You can use just one egg or 4 (will be a thicker frittata).  You can add cheese to the mix or on top after you remove it from the oven.  Proteins like ham, sausage, chicken, and quinoa make for great add-ins as well as left over pasta or potatoes.

I like to cut the frittata into little wedges, or use cookie cutter shapes that can be easily picked up by little fingers, and I add a little sprinkle of pecorino romano for my cheese loving monster :)

It’s no sauteed rabbit or cheese souffle, but I absolutely can whip this up with leftovers in the fridge.  Most importantly, R seems impressed every single time (and so does her Daddy :) ).

A yummy, healthy, homemade protein and vegetable packed lunch in no time.  Enjoy!

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Posted in Kid friendly recipes, Toddler Recipes. Bookmark the permalink.

We Have a Partier On Our Hands

Posted on September 12, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

It is just one of those days.

It was 4:45am this morning, and Bina decided it was time to get up.

Usually the party lasts just 1.5 hours after she first wakes and I get to go back to sleep for a quick power nap before R wakes up, but today, the party doesn’t seem to stop.

I had to drop R off at school today and, unfortunately, Bina decided to take her nap just 40 minutes before we had to leave.  I had to do what every single mom dreads… I had to wake her from her nap.  God love her, I go into Bina’s room and from being dead asleep, she woke up with a huge smile and I plopped her into her car seat so we could head out to preschool, then run some errands.

Back to get R at noon and Bina had no more than a literal wink of a nap since I woke her at 8:40am.

Then something amazing happened which every mom loves… both babies were down for their naps at the same time.  Love it.  So I hurry and feed Mochi, finish cleaning the kitchen, make myself a quick bite, then check emails.  Oh and start writing a blog post.

Damn blog post.

40 minutes fly by from when I sat down to start writing a post so that I could get a bit ahead.  Yikes, I should go take my nap.  Although, I know that Bina will sleep for a while since she hasn’t napped really at all today, so I can write a little bit more.

It’s like I never learn.

I literally crawl into bed and no more than 2 minutes later, I hear rustling around on one of the two monitors.  I take a peek and this is what I see-

hi, I'm awake, and no, I'm no going back to sleep

So then we proceed to have a war of the wills.  I lay there in the world’s most comfortable bed (a blessing and a curse) telling her to go back to sleep with my mind.  She then responds with making fart noises on her arm and smacking the crib mattress with her open hand.  S L E E P.  Then she chimes in with the incredibly sweet and innocent coos as if to be singing her own little “I’m awake” song.

Between the preschool secretaries and Bina, I have been subjected to a lot of mind tricks recently.

Again, I lost.

Today, Bina just wants to party.  She is a totally happy, non napping baby.  I know I have no room to complain because 1. she usually naps really well, and 2. she is still completely happy and fun to be around.  I may be tired, but tonight isn’t far away.  Maybe one day I will learn my lesson to either go to sleep earlier at night or jump at the chance for a nap when the opportunity arises.

Part of me almost wants to be a little mad, but thankfully, it is absolutely impossible.  I go into her room and right away get this great big smile.

I pick her up and kiss her saying “why don’t you let Mommy sleep?”  She responds with a big raspberry and a giggle.  How can you be mad at this face?

Oh Beanie, I love you.

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Posted in Beautiful Little People, Lessons From My Children. Bookmark the permalink.

Who Are You and What Did You Do With My Toddler?

Posted on September 12, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

As a parent, sometimes it feels like your baby literally grows overnight.  They actually can; they can gain 3 oz. and grow up to a centimeter in a 24 hour span.  I swear I put Bina in a certain pair of pajamas and in a few nights they go from fitting great to suddenly looking like Chris Farley’s “a fat guy in a little coat.”

But what about toddlers?  We all expect the physical and mental growth of a newborn/infant to be drastic in the first 12 months of life, but something is happening to R.  Just a few days ago she went to sleep as my 2 year old toddler and woke up this confident, insanely chatty with strangers, going-on-4- year old.  What’s in the water (and where can I get some because Mommy’s brain is needing some help these days)?!

R’s first day of preschool was last Wednesday.  I was prepared for it to be a difficult transition.  She has never been dropped off anywhere before or left in the hands of someone she wasn’t intimately familiar with (thanks to her 4 amazing grandparents).  R did have a sitter that came twice a week just for a few hours (we miss you Nadia!), but I was still here while she was being entertained and she was in the comforts of our own home.  R was also never that comfortable with new children, especially ones that don’t have a sense of personal space.  For being so young, R always had a strong sense of spacial awareness.  She needed time to observe her surroundings and warm up while in the protective confines of her personal space bubble.  This is also one of the reasons I thought preschool would be great for her.

Wednesday came and I made sure I was prepared.  I spoke to R about how exciting school would be without over doing the conversation and giving her time to get herself nervous and upset over the unknown.  I also got my tears out before this big day approached.  For you non-parents hearing that I was tearing up over my baby going to preschool, I get it.  On paper it doesn’t sound like a big deal but if and when you have children, you will learn that any new step towards independence and growing up simultaneously fills you with pride and rips a hole in your heart all at once.  I cried in front of the teacher on our personal orientation day with her a week earlier.  Lucky me, the teacher (Ms. K) was left a full week ahead of time with the notion that I was going to be “that parent.”

This is the famous "Mommy is begging me to smile so I will make this car salesman face" smile. It seems to be the new game we play with Mommy when she whips out her camera or phone.

R and I made it through the front doors and down the hallway with no problem.  It was a sea of parents, nannies, and lots of excited children running around and she trotted right through without flinching.  Her eyes were big and she was definitely alert to all of the action, but she did not hesitate and we walked right to the classroom that she had visited just a week before (good move for new preschool parents btw.  This way they get familiarized with the new surroundings and you can point out familiar toys in the room on their official first day.  It makes the transition easier).  We found her little cubby and she hung her own back pack and rain coat up on the hooks.  She helped me push open the big classroom door and she stopped.  Uh oh, she has put on her brakes and we will be heading back home in 2 seconds.  R looked around and saw Ms. K’s face and she relaxed a bit, even with the other 5 children busy in the classroom with their parents.  R started chatting about Mochi (her typical topic of conversation when she is nervous) and she walked toward her welcoming teacher.  We washed our hands and then went to find the toys she played with during our last visit.

For the first few days, parents are told to help their child transition by engaging them with some toys and allowing them to warm up, then tell them you are leaving but will be right back.  Luckily, R is very comfortable with the “Mommy will be right back” slogan and has been saying that on her own for months now.  I saw she was having fun playing with some dolls and told her “I have to go now, but have fun and I will be right back.”

She simply said “ok.”

And that was that.

I turned to get my purse and left the room.  We were instructed to not look back once we said goodbye and to not peek into the classroom because they will look for us.  I just left.  It felt so final.  I brought my little girl into that room and closed the door behind me knowing that she would come out a little bit bigger, a little bit more confident, and a little bit more independent.  Little did I know…

To ease our fears/insecurities/concerns/freak outs, etc., we are told that we can call the school at any time and they will go and check in on the classroom to see how our child is doing.  I got home and called just to see if she was ok after I left, and not sitting there extremely upset.  The woman kindly put me on hold and went to the class to check up on R.  Ugh I hope she isn’t there scared and crying and I just left her there to fend for herself :(   “She is doing great,” the woman said when she came back to the phone, “she is smiling and playing with some children in the class.”

She could be a total liar who tells all parents that ask her to check on their kids that they are doing great and playing and smiling and don’t miss you a wink, but I bought it.  I had to surrender and it made me feel better.  I took it, relaxed, and made myself busy (not hard to do with another baby at home) until it was time to go and get R.

Oh no, I forgot to remind the teacher that R wears big girl underwear (not diapers) and is potty trained and that you may need to ask her if she has to go because she could be distracted in her new environment.  Oh god, I hope she didn’t already have an accident on her first day and now she is crying and freaking out that she is in an unfamiliar place with people she doesn’t know and soaking wet pants which upsets her even at home.  My poor baby.  I should call…

So, I called again, being that worried mom.  “Hi, it’s Annalyce again, sorry for being that new parent that calls you 15 times on the first day.”

“You can call anytime, don’t worry” said the woman.  I then envisioned her adding my name in red ink to the crazy mom list that she has next to her phone.  I’m probably at the top.  I told her about R being potty trained, etc., and calmly she replied “ok, I’ll let Ms. K know.”  Damn those nursery school women, they are good.  The soothing voices and reassuring words were working; Psychological ninjas, I tell you.

playing with a new classmate

Noon rolled around and I was practically skipping to pick R up.  The time flew while I was at home and couldn’t wait to go get her and hear how her day was.  I poked my head around the corner and she threw up her arms with an excited “Mommy!”  Ms. K said she had a great day.  R even told her when she had to use the potty and she had lots of fun.  No breakdowns, no accidents, all smiles.

My baby who has never been in a new place with people she didn’t know, and a Mommy who wasn’t there for comfort, did just fine.  Better than fine, she did awesome!

Stef and I were on the phone with each other a bunch times during her first day of preschool.  We just couldn’t believe the day had already come for her to be going to school.  How did she grow so fast?!  I have a feeling this is just the first of many days to come where we have this same phone conversation.

Later that day was just business as usual.  R was behaving like nothing was new; like it was all old hat.  “Yeah, I went to school.  It was cool an all.  You know, no big deal” is exactly how she was acting.

R had her typical 12 hour night’s sleep, and when she woke up, she went along her typical routine.  I was nursing Carolina on our couch and R was playing in her playroom when suddenly Grandmom saw that there was pee in her potty.  She knew that it was cleaned out since the last potty visit because she cleaned it herself.  “Oh my goodness, did you go potty all by yourself?” Grandmom asked R.  R had a big, proud smile and pants that were just a bit crooked and replied with an enthusiastic “yes!”  My big girl went to her potty, pulled down her own pants, peed, got her wipes and used them, put the wipe next to the potty (we throw our wipes in the trash, not the potty, and she knows this), and pulled her pants back up.

Ok, forget preschool… THIS IS HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!

She is just 2 years old and not only out of diapers, but now she is fully going potty on her own!  I pulled my jaw from off the floor and gave her all her deserved praise and a humongous hug.  Then she followed with “I used the potty all by myself.”  She is a great talker for her age, but now she is starting to speak in grammatically correct English?!  She would always refer to herself as Peekee in stead of “me” or “I,”and my dad and mom had been working with her on saying “me” or “I” while we were gone in Turks and Caicos.  Well, it’s sticking.  It’s like all of these big kid concepts stuck over night.  Stefano and I feel like she is a new little person.  She seems to have this sense of confidence that is literally growing before our eyes.  In the few days after her first day of school, Stefano and I have repeatedly caught ourselves giving each other that amazed look of “holy crap, did you hear what she just said/see what she just did?”

I love seeing her blossom and her confidence grow.  It is such a proud moment as a parent and I love that these moments of amazement are just at the beginning.  We have many years to come that will be filled with those “did you hear what she just said/see what she just did” faces.

I love that R is such a cool kid.

Mynameisnowproudmommy

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Smiling Planet

Posted on September 10, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

 

I was doing some perusing today for some BPA free plates and stumbled upon this website.  They might have the cutest plates (amongst other things) that I have ever seen.  I am always looking for a unique gift and this fits the bill!  Check it out…

http://www.smilingplanet.net/

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Go Get Yourself a Lorna

Posted on September 9, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Since boobs are such a fundamental part of my every day routine, and everyone likes them, I decided it is time to devote another post to the fun bags.  I don’t feel like I put enough emphasis on the importance and usefulness of a lactation consultant, so I want to talk more about these life saving people that get to stare and touch knockers for a living.  I think most would agree that it’s an awfully good job :)

In all seriousness, lactation consultants really do provide an amazing service.  As you will hear most moms say, breastfeeding is difficult at first, and for being such a natural part of mothering, sometimes it feels like the most unnatural thing in the world.  You suddenly become a food source for this new little being that entered the world.  It can initially be very uncomfortable.  (Cover your eyes now if you don’t want to read TMI) Your nipples may crack or even bleed, all the while you need to chug through the discomfort (while having contractions) and feed your hungry baby.

My lactation consultant’s name is Lorna, and in my previous post (click here if you missed it) I mentioned that I had a tough start with R.  When she was born, she would try to latch on and then immediately stop when nothing was coming.  My boobs were huge, though, so it didn’t make sense that she wasn’t getting milk.  My midwife had Stefano go to the hospital across the street after we couldn’t get R to latch on and he had to buy me a pump (Medela Pump In Style is the one I have and its worth the hefty investment, plus the bottles are BPA free which is a must).  She said as soon as I get home, I need to contact a lactation consultant and get this baby the milk she needs.  I was devastated.  My pregnancy and labor had been so uncomplicated and now I suddenly couldn’t provide my baby with the nutrition she needed.

I got home and attached myself to the pump.  OUCH this thing hurt!  My poor breasts were engorged and ready to explode, but for whatever reason barely anything was coming out.  Luckily, R was a sleepy baby and wasn’t too fussy about not getting a belly full… yet.  I pumped and pumped and literally all I could retrieve was whatever was left on the rim of the pump bottle.  It was barely 1/4 oz.

I was dead set on breastfeeding and I called around for a consultant.  I got a hold of a few but they weren’t in my area or were completely booked up for a few days.  This needed to be dealt with now and I wasn’t willing to settle for less.  Then fate struck and Lorna was available to come right away.

She came to our house with her scale, a binder full of information, and a bag full of different items that we would possibly need.  She is a nurse practitioner and has been working in both the nursing and consultant field for a while.  I described my situation and then she got handsy with the ladies.  The rest you know from my last post so I won’t bore you with the same story (and reminding myself of the boob crushing isn’t what I want to do right now).  After I was de-clogged, the milk was flowing.  The physical and mental relief I felt was indescribable.  I fell in love with Lorna then and there.  She was my hero.

Getting the milk to flow was just the first battle, though.  R tried to latch on a few times and failed to get any nourishment, so she wasn’t keen on trying again.  Lorna gave me some different positions to try and also some breastfeeding supplies to help my abused breasts.  We had been through a lot and they felt like they just barely made it out of war.  She supplied me with a prescription for some nipple cream to help my soreness (made specifically by my pharmacy and totally safe for baby), nipple shields to help R latch on and keep me from wanting to bite a strap of leather while feeding her, and new pump attachments that fit me better and aided in more efficient and more comfortable pumping.  She also gave me a prescription for ultrasound therapy to ensure I would not get so painfully plugged again (click the bottom link and browse the site for more information on ultrasound therapy).  Lorna weighed R and then got her to latch on and nurse.  She then weighed R again to see how much milk she took in and reassured me that I would be breastfeeding my baby as I had hoped.

It was still a few weeks of struggling to get the right position to feed, but the cream and the shields helped immensely and allowed me to heal in no time.  Breastfeeding still felt a bit like a juggling act, but I was eternally grateful to not be in pain the way that I was.  I called Lorna 4 or so more times to ask questions and she was always so helpful in getting us on the right track.

As a side note, Lorna also let me know that I probably got clogged because my milk came in early (while I was pregnant) and I was wearing an under wire bra all the time (thanks to the advice of my previous OB/GYN).  Needless to say, I haven’t touched an under wire bra since I found out I was pregnant with Bina, and luckily I also did not clog this time around.

The second time around, I called Lorna right before I gave birth to Bina to let her know I would probably be needing her services after she was born.  I certainly felt like a breastfeeding pro after nursing R for a year, but I think Lorna’s expertise is invaluable, and I also knew that just because it ended up being smooth sailing with R didn’t mean it would be with Bina.

Bina was a serious sucker from the moment I delivered her, which was very different from R.  She latched on right away and this time around I was in a bit more pain.  I realized that the nipple shields definitely protected me from the initial chapped nipple pain that most women experience in the beginning, so I was glad that I had Lorna ready and waiting for my call.  As soon as I got home, I had Lorna come out just hours later.  She prescribed me the cream again to help my discomfort and showed me that the reason I was experiencing discomfort was because Bina wasn’t fully latching on.  We corrected the latch and she showed me how to tell if she was on properly.  Again, Lorna saves the day.

I can’t say enough about the job of a lactation consultant.  The awful struggle that I could have had, even being a second time nurser, was dissipated in no time thanks to Lorna’s help.  She was such a great support which is exactly what you need.  My mom marvels at the difference Lorna made for me right away because of the fact that she didn’t have the lactation consultant option available to her when we were babies; she had such struggles with nursing that her doctor told her to quit and feed formula instead.  She realized that the problems that she had with us could absolutely have been alleviated if she had a lactation consultant to pinpoint the issues and help her with an appropriate solution.

Here is a list of things that made breastfeeding easier:

  • Lorna
  • Prescription nipple cream for the first few days
  • Boppy Pillow
  • Washable cotton nipple pads- went through loads, especially when I was overproducing
  • Wireless day time nursing bras
  • Soft nursing bras for sleeping
  • Lorna
  • Bebe Au Lait nursing cover- allows you privacy while nursing in public
  • Medela Pump
  • Medela Pump and Store bags to freeze milk
  • Fairhaven Nursing Vitamins
  • Lorna
  • Lilypadz www.simplylily.com
  • Reassurance, patience, and determination
  • Lorna

I really do hope that every new mom takes advantage of this service and spreads the word to mom friends.  The help and support are truly priceless and I fully credit Lorna for my nursing success.

Go get yourself a Lorna.

Here is a link to the International Lactation Consultant Association where you can plug in your address and find a local consultant:

www.ilca.org -go to directories to find one near you

Want great breastfeeding info or are in the CT area? Click this link below:

www.lactationservices.com/

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Yay Boobs!

Posted on September 6, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

When I got pregnant and decided how I wanted to deliver my baby, I started thinking beyond the pregnancy and how I was going to take care of this little person once she entered the world.  I wrapped my head around that big event we call birth, but was totally freaked out by breastfeeding.  I knew I was going to because of all the benefits, but I was completely nervous about it.  The birth I could handle, breastfeeding was just downright freaky.

The thought of breastfeeding just seemed so unnatural (for being so natural ;) ).  Making milk was for the cows and the goats and the sheep and those African moms you see on National Geographic.  I was going to become a milk producing, walking leche dispensary with a child that will be attached to them every few hours.  I had never been so involved with or scared of my boobs until I got pregnant and knew I had to put them to work.

I got pregnant with Bina when R was 10 months old.  I was still nursing R at the time and was hoping to continue until she was a year old.  At 11 months and 3 weeks, I completely dried up and could no longer nurse R.  I was devastated.  I went from being entirely freaked out by the thought of breastfeeding to being incredibly sad when I had to stop.

I will say that the thought of breastfeeding not feeling natural went right out the window as soon as R was born.  Not to say we took to it right off the bat, it just didn’t wig me out the way it did while I was pregnant.  I actually had some problems when I had R and breastfeeding was a challenge.  Thankfully, my midwives immediately recommended that I contact a lactation consultant to help figure out why R wasn’t latching on.  This was the greatest advice I had ever received and if I was only allowed to give one piece of advice to every new mom, it would be to get a lactation consultant asap.

As if giving birth wasn’t traumatic enough to my body, we found out that my milk had come in early and I was clogged.  Lorna (my lactation consultant) knew this within 2 minutes of talking with me, and then it was time to take care of it.  For those of you who don’t know, breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract (like labor contractions) to get it back to its original size.  So, after you give birth and think you are done with those lovely contractions, here they come again while you are breastfeeding.  Lorna sat across from me, told me to grab Stefano’s hand, and she proceeded to de-clog me.  By de-clogging I mean squeezing my incredibly sore boobs as hard as she could, contractions ensuing.  This was worse than giving birth, I swear.  But, just a few minutes later and milk starting to flow, I was feeling relieved that we were able to get to the root of my problem.

Then and there, I wanted to marry Lorna.  She didn’t know it, but she was my new BFF.

Lorna then suggested that I pump to keep my supply going and keep things from clogging up again.  I kinda took this advice and ran because I was so scared to get clogged again.  Another bit of info for those who don’t know; your body produces milk based on the demand.  If you pump, your body is thinking the baby is eating that amount of milk.  Pumping a lot will make you produce a lot.  I was making enough milk to feed 5 children.  It was a disaster.

I couldn’t take my bra off without squirting milk all over the place.  My poor baby was getting hosed down every time I was trying to feed her, and my let down was so strong it was making her gag!  What have I done?!  Geeze, for being so natural I was certainly taking breastfeeding to a whole new level.  I bet cows and goats and sheep don’t have this problem… but you also don’t see them attached to a Medela pump for half the day so maybe I should have put two and two together.  I got Lorna back on the phone and she reassured me that I would not get clogged again now that R was feeding well, and that my supply would lessen without a problem.  I would just be a milk mess for a bit longer.

look at the fancy, hands free pumping secretary! You can do it, too!

2nd breastfeeding no no; I had a lot of milk pumped and didn’t even think about storing it, so being the ignorant Mommy that I was, I started throwing it away.  I know all you breastfeeding mamas are gasping as you read this (as you should be), and trust me, it hurts to even write this and relive the pain.  They don’t call breastmilk “liquid gold” for nothin’, and even worse is when you throw it all away just in time to really need some extra supply for that day you are out longer than expected, or that last minute trip you have to take for work (and now can’t because you don’t have milk).  This time around I started pumping just an ounce or two almost every day since Carolina was a month old.  Our Mommy/Daddy trip was a must and I wanted to make sure Bina was provided with as much milk as necessary so we wouldn’t have to supplement a thing.  So my word of advice- save every last drop.  Also, don’t forget to put it in the fridge after you pump… nothing like starting the day off on the wrong foot by finding a full feed worth of milk on the counter top overnight.  Fail.  Total Sad Bean territory (if you are unfamiliar with Sad Bean, read here).

How about some breastfeeding fun facts?!  I won’t inundate you with the stuff you already know, but I will throw in a few just because they are super cool :)   That’s right, super duper cool.

  1. Breastfeeding can save you between $1,160 and $3,915 annually, depending on the brand of formula one uses.
  2. You never have to lug around bottles, bottle warmers, and formula with you.  There is enough loot stuffed in your Mom purse already.
  3. Your milk is always readily available and the perfect temperature.
  4. Breastfeeding burns an average of 500 calories a day.  Bye bye baby weight!
  5. Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of certain health problems in both infants and moms.  Breastfed infants experience less ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, respiratory infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.  Breastfeeding mamas have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Postpartum depression (PPD).
  6. Have pink eye?  Use breastmilk!  Sounds funky, I know, but it works.  R didn’t have pink eye, but it was goopy… squirt in that liquid gold, and whatever was going on in her eye cleared up.
  7. Breastmilk contains antibodies and also has antibacterial properties.  If you don’t have any antibacterial ointment and need it on the go, look no further than those milk jugs and clean up that boo boo right away.

Do you become a slave to the boobs?  Yup, pretty much, but I surrendered myself to it for a year.  I knew it was temporary and luckily my lifestyle allowed it to happen.  I found that the benefits really outweighed any of the drawbacks, and I am so thankful that I was able to do so for so long.  I also learned to really love breastfeeding and appreciate the bonding that it created; it forces a time out from any activity and requires sitting back and relaxing with your baby.

'nuff said

Now that R is a bit older and sees me nurse Bina, she associates a baby crying with wanting to eat.  If she hears a baby cry, or sees another person crying, she says “needs boob.”  And she is right.  I bet most men, and babies would agree, too… the world would be a happier place if we all had a little bit of boob :)

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Waah, Ugh, Ahhh…

Posted on September 5, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

It has been quite a few days now since my last post and here is a quick recap as to why:

2nd Birthday party

Getting ready for preschool (meeting teachers, doctor appointment)

Hurricane Irene and no power for 4 days

Almost not being able to go on our once a year Mommy/Daddy vacation

Going on our Mommy/Daddy vacation

Just getting home to our smiling, delicious babies who we missed more than anything

Stefano and I had been looking forward to our now annual Mommy/Daddy vacation to Turks and Caicos since we booked the trip in April, and it was literally down to the wire whether we would be able to go or not.  Irene left us without power for a few days.  We jumped ship right before she dumped all of that rain upon us and went upstate to stay somewhere with electricity.  Well, we lost electricity there, too, but it came back a bit sooner than back home.  The only thing on my mind was the 25 bags of breast milk I had pumped since Bina was a week old in preparation for this much needed trip to Turks.  S T R E S S F U L.  I was fearing all that work I put into pumping was about to melt and leave me without any milk for my baby.  No milk for my baby meant no vacation for Mommy and Daddy.  It quickly seemed like our vacation was just a dream and wasn’t in the cards…

We left our upstate safe haven early to get back home and see what kind of damage we had to face and scramble to find a solution for keeping Bina’s milk frozen (if it thaws, it needs to be used within 24 hours).  Long story short, we got home to still frozen milk (hello deep freezer!), electricity that came back just in time for us to head out on our trip, and after all that last minute stress, we got to relax.

ahhhhhhh

For three days, Stefano and I did a whole lotta nothin’ and that is exactly what we needed.  We slept, I read some books, we soaked up the sun, and did whatever we wanted and on our time.  We talked a lot or not at all.  I got to shower regularly… sometimes even twice!  We enjoyed all the luxuries of child free life, but were so ready to get back to our two favorite little people in the entire world.  In the past, when your vacation comes to an end, you are sad and want more.  For us, we were excited to go on vacation, but we couldn’t wait to get home.

Mommy/Daddy time is so important and we are so thankful we were able to take those much needed three days to unwind and decompress together.  Happy parents make happy babies, and our girls have a recharged/well rested Mommy and Daddy with huge smiles on our faces and a nice tan :)

Mommy is back.

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2 Beautiful Years

Posted on August 22, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

My beautiful first born is 2.

2 years old.  How is that possible?!

It feels like just yesterday that Stefano and I decided we were going to start a family.  I remember feeling her kick in my belly and tears welling in my eyes when I found out she was a girl.  I went away for a weekend and when I came home, Stefano surprised me with her room painted this vibrant and soothing shade of purple.  We were preparing a room for this little person who would take up residence in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

R embodies that color.  She is so alive and fun and full of energy, but also so calming.  She has this amazing ability to play on her own and I love to sit back and just watch her little creative mind at work.  Her little embrace immediately melts your heart.  She is magic.

From the moment I laid eyes on her, I loved her.  She had this perfect little round head, heart shaped lips, the tiniest little feet I had ever touched, and a head of hair that I could not believe.  That hair became quite a spectacle.

A few hours old

R was a great baby.  She slept well from day one.  So well, we had to do whatever we could to wake her up to feed her.  She just wanted to snooze.  I was thanking my lucky stars :)   She slept in a bassinet in our room until she was 2.5 months old.  One night, I was changing her diaper and getting ready to give her the late night feed before she slept through the night, and she didn’t wake up.  “Maybe it’s a good time to have her sleep in her crib?” I said to Stefano, and he agreed.  But, I really didn’t mean it.  “As in not in our room, by herself, in her big crib, in her big room, all alone” I said.  Stef looked at me like I was a tad crazy.  After much hesitation, I put her in her crib to sleep for the first night.  She slept the entire night.  I barely slept a wink.

R knew what she did and did not like from very early on.  She hated being on her belly and she let you know it.  Tummy time wasn’t her favorite activity; she liked to lounge.  She was also very particular with who she would interact with.  If you weren’t in the club, you weren’t getting her attention.  R has always been a bit shy around strangers, but as long as you give her space and let her warm up to you, you will get VIP admittance and there is no turning back.  If she is comfortable with you, she will let it all hang out and will be her silly self.  She reserves this side of her for the privileged members :)

I started doing sign language with R around 4 months of age.  Every time I would do the action, I would sign; milk, change diaper, eat, sleep, I love you, more.  The list grew as the activities increased.  She started signing back to me around age 7.5 months and asked me for “more” when she was eating.  We were communicating and I was so proud of her.  She said her first clear “Mama” and “Dada” at 7 months of age.  Then and there, I knew she was going to be a talker.  She never stopped.

2 months old Howard Schatz Photography

R and I would go everywhere together.  We would go grocery shopping and I would talk to her about all the produce or what we were going to make.  I’m sure people thought I was crazy.  It may seem like I was having a one sided conversation, but I knew she was soaking it all in.

She always did well in the car and we decided it was time to take a longer trip… to Hawaii.  As soon as you get on a plane with a baby, people’s eyes get big and you can see them squirm in their seats.  10 hours on a plane with a baby… and people forgot we had one with us!  She was amazing.  She slept in her car seat, played quietly with her toys, ate well, and slept some more.  She couldn’t have been easier.

crazy post nap, Hawaii humidity hair!

Once we got back, I happened upon a site about elimination communication (I will post more thoroughly on that later).  It was based upon seeing the signs of needing to use the potty.  She was 9 months old and I could tell you exactly when she would have to go poop (funny poop face!), so I decided to give it a shot.  She took right to it.  She never ceased to amaze me.  R liked using the potty and no more poopy diapers for me to clean!  Everybody wins.  We used sign language for poop and potty and it worked amazingly.  She would sign to me when she had to go.

When R was 10 months old, I got pregnant.  I was so excited, and suddenly felt guilty.  R was my one and only and had every ounce of my attention… how could I share that?  How could I possibly love another baby as much as her?  I battled those feelings right up until C was born.

signing "buono" on her 1st birthday

Two months later, R turned 1.  A whole year of life; she grew so much and it’s insane to think about how much they change in the course of one short year.  She was talking so much all ready and communicating with sign language, it was crazy to think just a year ago I was holding her in my arms and she had no words.  I felt like I knew what she needed even without those words.  You get super powers when you are a mommy.  I also knew it was time to have her get involved with some sort of play group, so I found this place called The Little Gym.  R spent a lot of time communicating, but little time trying to move around on her own.  Remember that whole “I hate tummy time” thing I talked about?  Yeah she still didn’t seem terribly interested in getting going.  I would always make a point to keep her toys out of reach so she would have to get them, and she would roll around to get where she needed to go, but no crawling.  Hopefully, crawling babies at The Little Gym would help motivate her.  A month goes by, and nothing.  I could hold her hands and she would walk, but she still wouldn’t crawl, not even really try.  I read that some kids go straight to walking, but also read that there is an important development that occurs with crawling, and I started to get concerned.  She had great muscle tone, clearly communicates well, growing just fine… what could be the problem?  She just didn’t feel like it, and from early on, when she makes up her mind, that’s what she wants to do.  Very decisive, this little one, which she definitely did not get from her mother.  Finally, she crawled.  2 days later, she took her first steps.  R got crawling at 13 months old, and then full on walking at 14 months.  There was no stopping her from here on out.

This little personality blossomed beyond belief.  She named her favorite blanket “May” and gave her human characteristics.  She has this funny little nasally voice and started to really mimic things that I would do (she is actually walking back and forth on her phone having a cute conversation with Kitty as I write).  R is also incredibly funny.  She loves to dance to Elvis, Kesha, and house music (?!).  She will even fist pump (and she will say “fist pump” while she dances).  You turn on classical music or slow music and she cries “no music!”  She loves books and we started to read about being a big sister.  She had an idea something was going on in mommy’s growing belly, but she didn’t know her life was going to change drastically.  I felt so conflicted because I was so excited for #2, but my guilt was really weighing on me.

By 15 months old, we were out of diapers except for nap and night time.  She was so proud of herself in her new Elmo undies.  Her face lights up when she accomplishes something.  She is a confident little girl.

The days leading up to C’s birth were spent with Grandmom here.  My mom is amazing and spent a total of 6 weeks here with us to help out before and after C arrived.  My mother in law (who is also fantastic- I lucked out :) ) also spent two weeks here helping and spending time with R.  There is nothing better than watching your child make special relationships with others, and R had so much fun with Grandmom and Nonna.  R also helped me with getting C’s room ready and putting her clothes away.  She knew something big was going to happen.  Then C came home.  R’s life officially changed forever… and she was fine.  She was curious about the baby and wanted to watch Mommy take care of her.  I feared her being jealous and frustrated with Mommy not being able to spend all my time with her, but she was absolutely fine.  R had her moments of jealousy here and there, but nothing like I expected.  We spoke a lot about how we were having a new baby join our family and I think she really got it.  This child amazed me again.  She just adapts so well.  At such a young age, you can explain things to her and she just seems to get it.  She is such a special little girl.

A few days ago, R leaned over and kissed C.  C was playing with a toy and dropped it, and R ran over to give it back to her.  Then she sat next to her and explained how to play with it.  I started to cry.  She is the sweetest little girl on the planet.  I was so worried this little baby would rock her world, and R is absolutely in love with her.  She is a great big sister already, and I hope they will be great friends.

I also learned that a mother’s love doesn’t divide, it multiplies.

Howard Schatz Photography

Something happens when you become a mother.  I fell in love harder than I ever imagined possible; more than any words could ever express.

This little person in front of me is so innocent, bright, and full of life and creativity.  She amazes me every day.  I sit here with such an overwhelming sense of love and pride.  I learn things from her that I never expected to learn.  She has made me a better person.  She is also surrounded by family and friends that love her unconditionally and I am so thankful for all of those amazing people in our lives.  Never in a million years did I expect this is the gift I would be given 2 years ago this day, and I am eternally grateful.  I love her with every fiber of my being.

I hope that I can give you in a lifetime what you have given me in 2 beautiful years.

Happy 2nd Birthday Big Girl!!

I Love You,

Mommy

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Great, Big, Giant, Baby Steps

Posted on August 17, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

It feels like just yesterday that I was going with my mom to buy school supplies. A new book bag, a My Little Pony lunch box, new crayons; I have such vivid memories of being young and playing with my school stuff before the year started.

Last fall, R and I took a trip to visit preschools and ask about 2′s programs. She seemed so far off from being able to be dropped off for 3 hours and be learning and playing; I mean she just turned 1 a few months before and now I am looking into this?!  I came home and told Stef I couldn’t believe we were already talking about school for our baby.  And months later, here we are getting her little supplies ready.

I have never dropped R off anywhere before. I am always around or she is with family who she is very familiar with.  I sat with her and told her all about how fun preschool will be and she gets to meet new friends and play with new toys.  She said “I scared.”  I responded with how that is understandable because its new and sometimes new things can be a little scary at first, but she will really like it and I will be very close by.  Really, all I wanted to say was “I scared, too.”

Yesterday, I found myself shopping for a little lunch bag for my soon-to-be preschooler.  Never have I taken so much time to decide on something so seemingly unimportant, but this lunch bag is what she is going to take on her first ever day of preschool.  It is a symbol of her independence, and to me that is a big, big, deal.

Her book bag, lunch box, umbrella, rain boots, rain jacket; all of these things are miniature versions of big kid things.  This experience is exactly the same- a miniature version of a big kid experience.  She will be going out of her comfort zone and learn how to cope, without Mommy to protect her, all on her own.

What if another child isn’t so nice to her?  What if she is upset?  What if she needs me?  I’m not ready for her to experience anything bad this world has to offer, but when will I ever be?  Is she ready to go out and get her first doses of life-lessons?

Now I know you’re thinking “relax Mommy, it’s just preschool,” and in some ways you are right.  It’s not like she’s getting on the train to go into the city by herself with her briefcase and entering the big world.  She will be within the confines of a safe and happy place with experienced teachers and children her age who are all in the same boat.  But, one day she will be going on the train heading into the city with a briefcase to be in the big world on her own, and this is the first step in getting there.  That, to me, is huge.  Baby steps can feel monumental.

We work so hard as parents to prepare our children for everything ahead.  I know how important this social time will be for her, but I just don’t want to let go.  But, I guess, it’s never easy no matter what age.  The first few days will probably be hard (but more likely harder for me than R).  I can’t wait to hear the stories, see the pictures she drew, and be waiting in the hallway for that smiling face with a backpack as big as her little body.

It’s only the beginning of years of school supply shopping, lunch making… growing up and letting go.

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Banishing the Bean

Posted on August 13, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

This is Sad Bean.  I bought Sad Bean in Singapore and kept him secret until Stefano and I were in Hawaii a few months later.  We were visiting his family in Oahu for New Years, and when the vacation was over Stefano was heading back to NY and I was continuing on to Tokyo for 6 weeks.  Sad Bean was hidden in Stef’s bag, and once found he was placed on the bed post on the empty side of the bed where I should have been.  There he remained until I got back home.

Sad Bean represents bad things.  Today, I brought him back out.

I have been going back and forth to the city this past week for castings and meeting my old agency.  I’m pulling a Brett Favre and quasi coming out of model retirement ;) Needless to say, this is time that I race into the city, get everything done as fast as possible, and head right back home to my babies (usually about 5 hours after all is said and done).  Since I am breastfeeding, I need to be back in time to deal with my boobs before they explode.  Even though I swear they may have a mind of their own, the boobs don’t seem to be aware of the fact that little Bina isn’t around and milk production doesn’t temporarily shut off.  If I stay in the city longer, then I have to drag my pump along with my other monster bag and I am just a crazy, frantic bag lady running through the city.  No matter what, it’s always a tad stressful because I’m racing the clock, but I found that the 67 minute train ride is the perfect time to write my blogs!  It’s rare that I ever get to sit for that long and actually write a post in one fell swoop.  I spent both rides to and from the city writing this heartfelt blog on our iPad and made sure to save my draft in my email.  DAMN YOU IPAD, YOU DIDN’T SAVE IT!  Ok so it’s partially damn me, but I assure you I did save over and over.  Sadly, I pulled the rookie move of not emailing it myself just to make sure it was saved and all my hard work went to waste.  2 hours of writing now down the hole and an entire edited and re-edited post with nothing to show for it.

Sad Bean was resurrected at 9:17am, this 13th day of August, 2011.

As many mommies know, you have to put on a happy face even if you feel like throwing things (iPad) and screaming.  I decided I can’t let this ruin my beautiful little Saturday.  I need to do something to bring back the happy and force Sad Bean back to the dark drawer where he belongs.

Here are some things that made me happy today:

We drew happy beans with sidewalk chalk.  Side walk chalk is awesome.  So is R.  She always makes me happy.

Yay happy beans!

We always have such fun conversations.  I asked R who made her happy and she said Mochi.  Then she told me that he needed his shirt drawn on.  I love this kid.

Bina got into her exersaucer for the first time today.  She loved it.  She loves everything.  This smiling baby shuns away anything Sad Bean related.  She has some sort of Sad Bean repellent… maybe that’s why she wants me to hold her all the time.   She’s trying to protect me from all the evil. Funny because Beans is actually one of her 87 nicknames.  Happy Bean.  Good baby.

Itty bitty pink toe nails make me happy.

And so do itty bitty teeny weenie feet.  How can you not smile when you look at those little piggies?

This makes me a super happy Mommy.  There is nothing better than seeing Daddy surrounded by his women.  His girls love him so much.  Swoon.

It didn’t take long for me to get my happy back.  Everything I need to make me smile is right in front of me.

OK Sad Bean.  You can go now :)

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I Live In a Frat House

Posted on August 11, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

This is weird because my house is predominantly female.  Stef is the only man fully intact.  Poor Mochi… well, he is missing half of his man parts.  Also weird is that even though Mochi is in fact sans cojones, he has an oddly high testosterone level, but more on that later.

Before I go further, I would like to let you know that you will be reading a lot about poop.  The Hubster and I actually found early on that we share dirty, lavatorial humor and we won’t deny the fact that it made us like each other a whole lot more.  Poop is funny.  Don’t roll your eyes, you think it is, too, and don’t tell me otherwise because you are lying if you say you don’t.  Mommy doesn’t like liars.  To be further warned, this will not be the last post about poop.  Expect more.  Way more.  Free yourself from society’s retentive grasp upon you and go ahead and get a good laugh.  You deserve it.

Not to mention, as a mom, you better find some humor in it because you will be dealing with a crap load, and no one likes an angry Mommy covered in the stinky stuff.

Carrying on…

On a regular basis, I find myself covered in pee, poop, spit-up, and god knows what other bodily fluid.  For having lady parts, Peeks can spray out of the potty like she is hiding a mini hose.  Bina isn’t so bad at it herself.  As for the poop, well that’s all Bina.  I know exactly what goes in that body, but don’t have the slightest clue how that can be all of what is coming out.  It’s a liquid diet for crying out loud!  It often makes its exit while I am holding her and therefore has nowhere to go but out and about.  I am stuck with it all over my arms, front, and hands.  I look like a chicken with my head cut off trying to figure out how in the hell I am going to get my baby down on something that can also be covered in poo, while trying not to drop the poo along the way, and also not get her covered in more poo thanks to all the poo that is currently in my hands.  Did I mention that I have a toddler finding this to be the perfect time to climb up onto the dining room chair and hack into Daddy’s computer, or Mochi finds this a good time to try and “dance” with Peeks while she is rolling around on the ground and trying to get him to play with her.  By “dance” I mean hump.  Remember that high testosterone level I mentioned?  Yeah, it’s a problem, but again, more on that later.

sup?

My little, angelic ladies also burp and fart like two grown men.  For being so small, they produce an awful lot of noise.  In our house, we call it butt poppin’, and being the responsible parents that we are, we try our best to have her say excuse me, but it’s hard when that little monkey bends over, lets out a toot, and with a guilty look and a great big surprised smile says “butt poppin!”

guilty

I spend an awful lot of time being the parent that does the right things, and sometimes you need to be cut some slack. We are immature and farts are funny, ‘nuff said.  If its not Peeks, then Bina chimes in, and lets be honest… this gene clearly came from Big Papa himself so he is not being let off the hook here.  He’s the frat prez.  Last but not least is Mochi.  Sometimes he will sit on the hardwood floor, pass the gas, and jump up at the sound while looking at the floor wondering “who did that!”  That dog can be ripe.  I guess that’s what you should expect from a dog that also likes to eat poop.  Not his own, though, because that’s just gross.  You will get a post or 5 about him later.  He almost deserves his own blog.  Needless to say, I regularly live in a gas cloud.  It’s mini Hiroshima.

“What about you?” you ask?

#1: I’m a lady, obviously.

#2: it’s my blog and I am outing myself enough through out all this nonsense.  Something has to be left sacred.

Mochi also used to sleep in our bed.  He may or may not have pooped in our bed during the night, for us to find a tiny butt biscuit in the morning.  It only happened once.  And by once I mean about 4 times, but we keep hoping the little guy gets a little hole control.  It’s gross, I agree.

Your opinion of me is quickly going south.  I understand.

There is plenty of (milk) drunkenness that occurs and one or two children are passed out at some point.  There is a lot of walking and randomly falling down as well.  I’m sure you college graduates can greatly appreciate that.

Everywhere I turn in the house, nakedness follows.  It’s a real life naked tooshie, or naked dolls scattered everywhere.  They never seem to have clothing on.  In typical (movie) frat house form, boobs regularly make an appearance as well (yay exclusively breastfeeding).  There’s only one thing on tap in this house and that’s Mommy’s brew.  A booze free, big-busted-blond-chicks-free frat house, but a frat house nonetheless.

Throw in some baldness and toothless grins, a little bit of sneeze farting, constant raspberry blowing, food in places that just don’t seem possible from a 2 year old, and a sexually frustrated/t-shirt wearing pooch… maybe it’s less like a frat house and more like a loony bin.  But this insanity that is my life is exactly what keeps me sane.  The day to day craziness is what keeps me on my toes and a big smile on my face.  That’s what being a Mommy is all about, and I love it.

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Please Forgive Me

Posted on August 9, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Jonathan Hanson Photography

Three years ago today, Stefano and I got married.

Here is our story.

Stefano and I met in 2005 through mutual friends in NYC.  Funny, our mutual friend was someone we both knew for years, but our paths never crossed. We met once and then not again for 5 months.  I wasn’t so nice to him the first time we met.  Let’s just say I wasn’t in the mood for meeting a man, because I was currently in the mind set that they all sucked.  How wrong I was.

Kamakura, Japan

Fast forward 5 months later and I had just gotten back from a trip to Tokyo.  In a cheesy way, I felt like I found myself there and was in a much better place when I got back to NY.  A bunch of friends got together for sushi and Stef and I sat next to each other and talked about my travels.  Other than my modeling friends, I didn’t know anyone that did as much traveling as I did (especially at 22 years old) so it was nice to relate to someone who had also seen so much of the world.  While talking, we found out he was in Cape Town the same time as me and we didn’t even know each other.  Small world.

So for the next few weeks we saw each other when we would get together with our friends and we would chat here and there, but nothing beyond that.  I thought he was a nice guy and very fun and that’s about all I knew.  Then, one day, my friend called me to let me know a big group was going to Mykonos and wanted to know if I wanted to join, just pay the airfare.  Umm… YEAH!  When can you ever get a group of 15 fun people together in an amazing location at the same time?  The kicker was there were no empty rooms left.  I could take the couch or share a room with Stefano.  Now I know you are saying to yourself “of course there were no rooms left but his,” but believe me when I tell you this was not set up this way.  Anyhoo, I was a free bird and all about the single life so of course I had no issues sharing a room and nothing was going to come of it anyway.  He was a super respectful guy and we were friends.

Mykonos

August comes and we are all in Greece.  Up to this day, Stef and I have yet to even have a date alone much less a kiss.  But, we both liked each other, so this was a “first date” we were each looking forward to.  Needless to say, it’s quite a first date bunking up with someone on a romantic island.  Talk about speed dating!  He did a great job of making the whole vacation special.  Me, Stef, and another couple took a side trip to Santorini; a place that words cannot describe and honeymooners flock to.  Just days into our trip we were surrounded by lovebirds on this tiny island, but nothing felt more right.  We laughed to tears, lounged by the pool, and on the way home we rented dune buggies and zipped around the island of Paros.  It was so much fun, we decided to go back with everyone and dune buggy it up again.

Santorini

Dune Buggies in Paros

Dune buggies in Paros

During the trip, our coupling wasn’t secret from anyone, and in typical guy fashion, Stef’s friends were having a field day.  Now of course when there are 15 adults on vacation on a party island, there will be partying.  Throughout this partying and in Stef’s attempt to be smooth, my dress got ripped, a necklace broken, my iPod was broken…  His friends’ response?  “Dude, what the hell are you doing?”  It didn’t seem to phase me.  A few days later, we find ourselves back on the island of Paros in dune buggies with the whole group.  Naturally (eyes rolling), all the guys were driving and the girls were in the passenger seats.  It’s Greece, so no helmets, licenses, seat belts, or anything safe were required, and we were all tearing around the island and racing each other.  Stef and I were in the lead but neck and neck with another couple and Stef decides to take a turn and go over a jump.  It wasn’t a jump.  It was a hole.

I come to with my arm submerged in a cooler full of ice water with a group of Italians in banana hammocks and a guy holding an umbrella over me.  I was covered in gasoline and dirt and our dune buggy was upside down.  The nose of the dune buggy got stuck in this lovely hole-not-jump and in the process of rolling it threw me out and then landed on my arm, dumping the gasoline out of its tank.  Stefano speaks Italian (being from Italy and all.  He’s the real deal- no Jersey Shore wannabe Italians here!) and funny enough we flipped right in front of an Italian doctor who helped us out and let us know where the hospital was.  We got into a non-banged up dune buggy and drove slowly to the hospital, making sure to avoid any jumps or holes along the way.  Long story short, we found a small private clinic and I was x-rayed, arm in a cast, and back to the beach in no time.  Stefano felt horrible.  For some reason I wasn’t angry with him at all.  I actually started to laugh.  When else can you find yourself riding a dune buggy on a remote Greek island with a group of 15 fun people and a cast on your arm?  It makes for quite a story, and I was having a great time.  A few slight fractures in your wrist can’t subtract from the amazing trip we had.  And being smitten kind of makes the good way better than the bad.

The trip of a life time was over, and we headed back to NYC.  We separated at the airport, Stef went off to Rome to visit his family and the rest of us went back home.  Then, a week after Stef got home, I got a phone call and I was heading off to Singapore for 2 months.  Ouch.  We just started this relationship and I was heading as far away as one could go for 2 months?!  Stef and I were in the Hamptons together right before I left and I remember saying to him that I guess we will just have to see what happens in 2 months if we are still in that place.  “What are you talking about?  You’re my girlfriend; of course I am going to be here when you get back.”  He has a knack of saying the right thing.  So off I went, gone just shy of two months, and we talked every day.  He sent me photos, special things from home that I couldn’t get in Singapore, even set up a day for me at the most amazing spa.  Being wooed is so nice :)

Around this time, I remember hearing the song “Please Forgive Me” by David Gray, and the lyrics sang to me.

Please forgive me
If I act a little strange
For I know not what I do.
Feels like lightning running through my veins
Every time I look at you
Every time I look at you

Help me out here
All my words are falling short
And there’s so much I want to say
Want to tell you just how good it feels
When you look at me that way
When you look at me that way

Throw a stone and watch the ripples flow
Moving out across the bay
Like a stone I fall into your eyes
Deep into that mystery
Deep into some mystery

I got half a mind to scream out loud
I got half a mind to die
So I won’t ever have to lose you girl
Won’t ever have to say goodbye
I won’t ever have to lie
Won’t ever have to say goodbye

I don’t feel like I directly relate to many songs, but this one was written for me.

Stef thought I was coming home after Halloween, but I came home a few days early and surprised him.  I walked into his apartment (he thought I was a friend coming over), and he had an icepack on his shoulder.  It fell to the floor- he was surprised.  We were so happy to see each other.  We essentially lived together since the day I came home.  I continued to travel for work a few months at a time, but when I came home it was always to him.

He told me he wouldn’t be the guy that makes me wait three years to be married.

He was this guy... the one I could be silly with... even on top of Haleakala in Hawaii at dawn in bathrobes.

It was March 2008.  We were watching a TV show together and the character commented that she had been waiting for 3 years to get married.  “Oh my god, it’s three years in August that we have been together” I said.  I wasn’t saying this to force an issue of getting married.  I was young and knew that he was the one, but didn’t feel like I had to push the subject by any stretch.  I just couldn’t believe how quickly time had flown  “Oh right,” he replied, “we should get married!”  We both knew that we wanted to be together and have children.  I wanted to have kids young.  I had been working and living on my own since I was 18 and had a lot of experiences unusual for someone my age (especially since I didn’t go the college route like most).  I was ready for the next step.

We started looking at rings and also at wedding venues in the city.  I was never a big wedding kinda girl.  But, we went around the city looking and it was one nerve wracking place after another.  The guest list, the price of the venue, the “normal-your wedding will be lame-package” or the “beautiful bride-add $20,000-wedding package.”  Blech, this was not fun.  My grandmother was also not doing well and wouldn’t be able to travel up to NYC to see me get married.  That didn’t seem worth it.  Stefano suggested we do it in Baltimore so she could be there.  He knew how important she was to me.  Done and done.  We also knew we wanted to go on an amazing honeymoon.  So, small, family only wedding it will be and amazing honeymoon here we come.  It’s so nice to be on the same page.

My grandmom was getting worse.  It seemed like her time was coming to an end.

“Let’s get married this summer so your grandmom can be there, I know how much it means to you” Stef said.  We didn’t have the ring yet, but I didn’t care.  I just required that when I did, I would get a real proposal.  Even if it meant it would happen after we got married.  Get down on that knee.  Since I told him this, he took every opportunity to drive me nuts (purely out of love, naturally) and asked me to marry him in some way that made me yell at him (in jest of course) and tell him that he has ask me properly.  We were like an old married couple already ;)

I went home for my cousin’s wedding and on the same property was this beautiful mansion and garden.  This looked like the place.  I went back the next day and just 15 minutes earlier, someone cancelled their wedding date and August 9th was open.  I took it.  Stefano was golfing.  I called him and told him we were getting married August 9th.  He said “I think I can make it.” :)   Funny guy.

Beautiful Sydney

We knew we wanted to have children shortly after getting married, and our apartment was not where we wanted to have them.  We got it ready to sell and put it on the market.  I went to Australia for 1.5 months and got home 5 weeks before we got married.  Right before I left, I went back to my hometown for a weekend and found my wedding dress, gluten free caterer (I’ll blog about that later), location, and florist.  I had little time so I had to decide now, stress free.  It made it easy.  We had the rings picked out as well, but I wouldn’t be able to have it for a few weeks because the diamond district was closing for vacation.  They said I would be able to have it before the wedding, at least, so I was fine with that.

Stef and I took a trip with Mochi to Southampton to get some delicious mussels at our favorite spot and watch the sunset.  We just got this great new camera and he was really rushing me to eat to make sure we wouldn’t miss the sunset.  It still looked super sunny to me but I scarfed down my food and we headed out to the beach.  The camera we got was one of those professional SLR cameras with god knows how many functions and Stef was testing it out and setting up the camera so I could take a picture of him and Mochi.  He passed me the camera and I was fidgeting with the settings and finally taking some pictures.

“Will you marry me?”

I started to yell at him and tell him he has to ask me properly when I looked up from the camera and saw him on his knee with the ring (the ring I was told wouldn’t be available before the holiday… sometimes lying is acceptable :) ).  We both started to cry.  I kissed him.  Mochi ran off and chased another dog.  And off we went chasing after him.

Panting after his aptly timed run

We sold our apartment 4 days before we married.

Jonathan Hanson Photography

We got married in my hometown August 9th, 2008.  It was an unusually cool 73 degrees and crystal clear (95 and humid is more like it for this time of year).  Everything was simple, beautiful, and perfect.  My grandmom was there.

Jonathan Hanson Photography

We married 2 weeks shy of our 3 year dating mark.  He wasn’t the guy that made me wait 3 years.  He was and is a man of his word.

We took a quick pre-honeymoon honeymoon to Turks and Caicos at the end of August since our real honeymoon wasn’t until the end of November.  It was hurricane season, and hurricane Hannah decided to join us on our vacation for the full five days.  Pouring rain, no way of going home, no cable, flooding stairwells; we walked around in our bathrobes, got drenched, and had a great time.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

November rolls around and off we go on a 3.5 week long honeymoon to South East Asia.  Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand were all on the agenda.

Patara Elephant Farm, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Now this was the real trip of a lifetime.  As I said earlier, I am gluten free, and that means no soy sauce or oyster sauce.  That also means there is a 95% chance I will have gluten while on our trip.  I felt fine most of the time until the very end of the honeymoon.  I had some funny stomach discomfort, but not quite like the typical gluten pain.  I was also peeing a ton but it was very hot over there so I must have just been retaining water.  Things also smelled kinda funny, but this was Thailand after all and there was a lot of different food being sold on the street.  Our trip was sadly coming to and end and all we talked about was coming back.  We bought some things to take home with us but they didn’t compare to the experiences we had.  We wished there was more.

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

We get home on the 17th of December and I still had these funny pains in my stomach.  I had to pee like crazy so I went into the bathroom.  I bought pregnancy tests a little bit ago (talk about being prepared) and figured I should just try it out.  I wasn’t pregnant but what the hell.

There were two pink lines.  There were two pink lines on all 3 tests I took in disbelief.

We made amazing memories, and we made a baby.  She is our priceless souvenir.

We bought a house in the suburbs outside of the city.  We were those people (before we were even engaged) who said we would never move out of the city when we had kids.  We couldn’t imagine ever living in the suburbs.  We were now those people who got pregnant and ran, never looking back.  We both grew up with a yard and places to run and play and that’s what we wanted for our children, too.  I was seven months pregnant and we moved to Connecticut.  Two months later we celebrated our 1 year anniversary, and 13 days later my first baby girl was born.

We got engaged, sold our apartment, got married, went on our honeymoon, got pregnant, bought a house, moved to the suburbs and had a baby in 1¼ years.  We did, in a little over a year, what most people do in 5+ years.  We were on the fast track and didn’t regret a thing.  It’s how we were from the get go, having our first date in Greece; a place where people go on their honeymoon.  There wasn’t a second spent feeling overwhelmed by our decisions.  This was how it was meant to be.  We were a great team.  And now we are parents.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Three years ago today I married my best friend, my partner.  I have never laughed so hard with anyone.  We laugh every day.  Now we laugh with our daughters every day.  He has given me the most amazing gift; our children.

I still listen to “Please Forgive Me” by David Gray and get teary eyed.

It feels like lightning running through my veins every time I look at you…

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Mirror, Mirror

Posted on August 5, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and in my case it will also make you realize every single one of your quirky mannerisms.  Peeks is like my walking mirror.  She will make a funny face and say something while shrugging her shoulders, and I ask myself “where did she learn that?” (while shrugging my shoulders and making a weird face).  Except she is way cuter when she does it.  EEK she learned that from me!!!  Nothing like 28 years of kooky mannerisms and inflections literally following me around.  Even more amazing is how your little ones notice e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.  You can’t get anything by them.  But, the greatest part about it is that you can shape their behavior very easily as well.

Yes it’s true that there are some things that are typical toddler and have nothing to do with mimicking me.  She definitely did not see me run off the potty as soon as I finished so that I could be a pants-less lunatic… this is all her.  I also swear I have never done a somersault off the potty either.

Again, totally R’s creation (I was very impressed with this one).

look familiar?

She also now pretends to wash her face (and things all around the house) with syrup and I assure you, if you come to our house, syrup is not the cleaning solution of choice.  But my little girl will also clean up her toys in her playroom while singing the clean up song, she will try any food that she sees Mommy or Daddy try (which is anything and everything), she will say please and thank you because she hears it all the time.  It makes you realize how important it is to set a good example.  It also makes you realize that she hears everything; like when you drop something in the grocery store one day and say “Jesus,” a week later you will go back to the grocery store and drop something and she will shake her head and say “Jesus” while clutching a slice of deli cheese in her little hands.  Holy Moly! (she says that, too).

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You Big Baby

Posted on August 3, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Why is it that I yearn for a little me time here and there and as soon as I get it I just want to go back and be with my babies?  It’s not that I don’t trust whoever is watching them (typically my Mom or mother in law who my daughters adore).  During the random occurrence that I go out to get my nails done, all I do is think about being home.  I go to the grocery store with no babies in tow and I rush as fast as I can while watching the clock.  What is it about wanting time to do something on your own but not allowing yourself to enjoy it?  I feel like I wish time away when I finally get a break.  Its not that I feel I need a break from my children (which in no way is wrong to feel, either), and its not that I am feeling burnt out (also an important reason to make sure you make time for yourself).  It’s that (like every human being) I need time for myself.  But when I’m gone even for a short while I feel like I am missing something.

I remember when R was an infant that I was so excited for new developments that I would be anxious to see what was next.  I would wish her to be crawling or walking when she wasn’t.  I would be so ready for bed that I would put her down before she was ready.  I loved her so much and couldn’t get enough but I was ready to see what the future had in store.  Now that I have two children, this time I hold on a little longer than necessary, I don’t rush sleep because I know I will get what I need eventually, and I catch myself when I start to wish anything away because there is always an end to the phase.  Having another baby isn’t a guarantee.

I realize that I don’t want to miss out on anything.  Life isn’t equipped with DVR and you can’t rewind to hear those conversations or relive those moments; once it happens it’s over and you don’t get it back.  But, the same goes for life outside of mommyhood because that can pass you by as well.  Even more, the greatest reason to take some time for myself is that it’s important for my children.

I was just back in my hometown for a few days and had the chance to spend some time with a very close friend who I rarely get to see.  My brother joined us and we all went out for dinner.  Gone. For. Three. Hours.  I even prepped beforehand to the extent of bringing frozen breast milk down with me to ensure I had nothing to worry about while I was out.  There was no need to rush home.  The baby will be fed.  R will be having tons of fun with Grandmom and Grandpop.  Now it’s Mommy’s turn… and I really enjoyed it.  We had a great meal and even greater conversation reminiscent of the old days.  I caught myself a few times getting a bit anxious and checking my phone for texts or the time and had to remind myself that everything would be fine.  Relax.  Enjoy it. 

As I will often say, I am learning something every day as a mom.  Things are always evolving, our children are always evolving.  Their needs change.  Relationships require nurturing, including distance, and your children are no different.  Even a break of a few hours here and there is good for everyone, not to mention, it gives my girls some time without Mommy and the sole attention of somebody else.  That means new games, a different way to read a book, new adventures.  That’s a great thing.  I shouldn’t feel guilty because my babies are having fun and learning how to be with other people.

I never thought for a second that in order to be a great mom you had to be by their side 24/7 and 52 weeks a year.  I do think my and Stef’s presence is of utter importance, though, and even more important is a positive and happy presence at that.  Staying energized requires taking care of myself, even if that means forcing myself to have fun.  A good mommy is a happy mommy.  I felt a bit revived and reconnected the next day.  I was Annalyce for a few hours straight and it was niiiiice.  I had to remind myself to stay in the moment and thats ok, too.  Just like babies learn how to soothe themselves, I am learning how to tend to myself, too.  Its all about learning to enjoy me time without feeling guilty or counting down the clock.  Sometimes babies need to figure things out on their own and, in this situation, I am no different.  We are all just grown up babies, after all.

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Chomp, Chomp, Chomp

Posted on August 1, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

A few weeks ago, my homegirls and I took our weekly trip to Bed Bath and Beyond.  I always find myself going there for something or another and here I was again.  We were perusing the tight aisles and I saw this gimmicky little Cherry Chomper.  I had seen it a few times in my recent trips and wondered to myself how long it would be until I go waste my money and try it out.  It ended up being $7.99 well spent.

Meet Cherry Chomper

This silly little guy could easily disappear within the dozens of other “As Seen on TV” gadgets or otherwise worthless kitchen utensils.  Yes, anyone can eat a cherry without a pitter, and double yes anyone can eat cherries without a cherry pitter with a face.  But Cherry Chomper makes eating cherries fun, especially for my toddler.

She is already a great eater who doesn’t require encouragement to eat her fruit, but I am sure it would help anyone that has a picky child.  It’s also very child friendly, although (as with anything, really) I would absolutely recommend parental supervision while using it.  It does not have any sharp parts but it does require a little extra push to pit the cherry.  Cherry Chomper is cheap, dishwasher safe, and makes eating that summer fruit fun.  Go get chomping!

Happy eating!

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Nosefrida

Posted on July 27, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Before I mention anything about this or any other product I have tried, I want to make it clear that I am not getting paid in any way to praise these products.  Anything I am going to post about will be a product that is tried and tested and will only make it on this blog if it was helpful in any way.

With that being said, the Nosefrida is the greatest icky invention ever!


The Nosefrida, also known as “The Snot Sucker,” is the only thing I ever used that actually worked to help clear up a stuffy nose.  No matter what, one day you will be faced with a congested, boogie-faced, unhappy baby, and there is no worse feeling than not being able to do anything to help.  For whatever reason, the only product that gets any mention is the lousy, no good, worthless, annoying, pain the butt bulb aspirator (can you tell I hate the thing?).  Luckily, I only had to use the bulb aspirator once and it wasn’t during a serious booger-infested session.  A friend recommended Nosefrida and we ordered one right away.  You can find them online and supposedly in a few stores, although I have yet to find them on any shelves.

You literally put the opening of the tube against the opening of your baby’s nostril, put the red mouth piece into your mouth, and suck.  And I mean suck hard.  It doesn’t hurt your baby at all (although their eyes might get a little big and they might flail their arms around because it feels weird).  Needless to say, the 10 seconds of strangeness leads to a great amount of relief, and that means relief for you too.

You can breathe easy with this guy ;)

Sorry, that was cheesy, but I said it.

This is one, if not the main, go-to baby shower gift for any new mom or any parent that doesn’t already have one.  It can be used for years, not just during infancy.

Nosefrida- clearing up the world one boogery nose at a time.

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Bubble Therapy

Posted on July 27, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

Since I was pregnant with Bina, I no longer had a modeling agency and stopped pursuing modeling in general.  With the time it takes to commute back and forth, getting coverage for R, being pregnant and exhausted in general, and no longer having the ability to go to last minute castings (auditions for those who don’t know), it just didn’t make sense to keep trying to keep my modeling career going.  The one thing I will continue is working on tv commercials.  The castings are given with more notice and I really enjoy shooting.  The greatest part of all is I get amazing health insurance through my Screen Actor’s Guild membership that I earned after shooting quite a few commercials.  Now, more than ever, that health insurance is so important.  Last week I had another casting for a tv commercial and I had a call back Monday.  You never know if you get them or not, but I had a good feeling about this one and I was on hold for the job.  Then I got the phone call… “Sorry, you have been released.”  I have been in this business for years now and rejection is something I am very used to- you certainly get a thick skin and also learn that its not personal.  But its not about rejection.  I was disappointed, and thats something that never gets easier after all these years.  Booking a commercial holds a lot more weight these days and I was downright bummed.  But, it was out of my control.

R was dead set on going outside and blowing bubbles.  All I wanted to do was yell and scream out of frustration.  Putting on that happy mommy face (those acting skills have certainly come in handy) I grabbed her little hand and we went outside.  My heart lightened a smidge.  We sat in the shade and I grabbed her bubble blower and just started blowing… hundreds of bubbles floating all around her and she was giggling with delight.  My heart lightened a little more.  Next thing I noticed, R was immersed in her own little conversation with Mochi and I was still sitting there in a cloud of bubbles blowing away.  It was a bit therapeutic, just watching all those tiny, pretty bubbles dancing around in the air.  It must have been 10 minutes that went by while I just sat there in a daze, watching R run to pop the bubbles and start playing pretend.  No cares in the world.  She wasn’t upset that I didn’t get the commercial.  She was just happy to have me there playing with her.  My heart lightened again.

the sunglasses certainly made me smile

This scenario made me start to think about things that aren’t in our control.  There have been numerous times (especially recently thank you toddler-hood) where R has gotten frustrated and cried because she couldn’t do something she wanted because I said so.  But I said so for a reason.  “Not now sweetie.  Next time, ok?”  Yuck, how frustrating for her that she wanted to do something and I said no… and years later we still experience the same thing.  I wanted this job, but it was out of my hands and there was nothing I could do to get it… the answer was “no.”  Now, I certainly am not sitting here thinking it was anything personal.  I always do a great job, act professionally, am very pleasant to work with and very agreeable in even the most uncomfortable situations (maybe even more than I should be), but that wasn’t what the choice was based on and this wasn’t my time.  Maybe, next time.  But I want it now! (I guess there is a toddler still inside us all).  Damn next time.  Who is to say there is a next time?  There always will be…

pop, pop, pop

Needless to say, I snapped out of my daze and came back to Mommy land and in a cloud of bubbles and giggling.  Ahh, that little sound can just make anything better and I felt, in that instant, that I understood R a little bit more.  Its times like these that make you realize children are just little people with the same feelings and emotions as adults, just without the tools to deal with them (and to be fair, a lot of adults still don’t have the tools).  I could empathize with her.  Sometimes, in life, there are reasons things happen and they aren’t going to be in our control.  This will occur more often than we wish.  But a good old fashioned distraction can go a long way, and that day bubbles were the answer.  Although I was still disappointed that I didn’t get the job, I had a sudden feeling of relief.  My frustration blew away in that cloud of bubbles and part of me felt like I just became a better mother.  I could relate to R’s intense feeling of frustration when she hears “no,” and while the reason behind our disappointment may be different, the emotions felt are the same.  Next time, I’ll try to remember how “no” made me feel and her frustrated tears won’t seem so unwarranted.  The answer won’t change, but my patience level will be a bit higher.  I also know there will be more no’s in the future, so I’ll stock up on those bubbles…

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Hi There!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by mynameisnowmommy

My first post!  I am so excited and nervous and scared all at the same time.  I am putting myself out there for the whole world to see.  Ok, ok maybe not the whole world; in fact it’s probably just my family and a handful of friends.  So, in that case, I am going to blog away because God knows I have said or done much more embarrassing things for you all to see.  Hello blogosphere!

What if someone doesn’t agree with what I am talking about?  What if I have nothing of value to say?  Well the first could very well happen and never in life will every single person agree with what you are talking about, especially when it comes to parenting.  And as far as nothing of value, I have two kids and have just 23 months and 3 days of mothering experience which certainly doesn’t make me a pro, but I know what has and has not worked for us so far and there is nothing better for a mom than another mom sharing a story about what did or did not work.  So here I am!  I feel like I have made some decisions that were a little less ordinary and I want to share them.  Take it or leave it :)   I am also hoping to connect with other moms out there (or anyone with helpful advice) who have productive stories of their own to share.  I want this to be a place where we can communicate without judgment and be able to say “hey, this worked for me, what worked for you?”

So without further ado, here is my first thought…

My name is now Mommy.  It’s what I am called 95% of my day.  On August 22nd, 2009, I went from Annalyce to Mommy and there is no turning back.  People say you shouldn’t let being a mom define you, but why the hell not?  It’s an honor!  It’s insanely fun, tough as balls, 24/7, both endlessly rewarding and sometimes thankless, tear inducing (both happy and sad), and the only thing I will be doing for the rest of my life.  I think that’s kinda a big deal.  Doctors go to school for years to earn their title and they wear it with pride.  The same goes for lawyers, professors, and any other well-to-do job.  No, I didn’t slave all night studying books, but I did spend 18 months carrying two babies and spent all hours of the day and night feeding, nurturing, rocking and soothing.  You are constantly learning when you are a mom and always kept on your toes.  Parenting is school that has no summer vacation, no ending.  Yes, there are many other facets to my personality, all of which (I like to think) make me a better mom.  I wear a lot of hats, but above all my crowning achievement is my two daughters.  I am proud to say I’m a Mommy.

I hope, to all of those people reading out there (all 3 or 103 of you), that we can start fun and interesting discussions.  Please feel free to leave comments (be nice!) and please be patient with me as I wade into this blog pool… I am just learning to swim.

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