Boston Choice Mom Event 10/13

Looks like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  I went a few years ago and it was great to be in the same room with so many other choice moms. Back then I was just thinking about trying for two - so much has changed!   I'm hoping that this time around there will be even more discussion!

http://www.choicemoms.org/events/16/event/1

Floating Fish, molars, giggles and food fun

I found one of the fishies  floating at the top of the tank today.  I left him there until after Mr. O had gone to bed so I wouldn't have to explain death to him.  I'm now trying to figure out how I can get another fish before he notices.   I do think that pets like fish could be great for introducing a tough topic like death but I'm going to skip it this go round.  Mr. O has a molar coming in and has been a whiny mess all week. I don't want crying about the fish to be added to the long list of things he's been screaming about lately.  Today I had the nerve to let his cup of water get wet from condensation.  How could I?! 

I am being swallowed up by laundry.  Right now my bedroom has 4 buckets of clothes that need to be put away.  I hate laundry.  I think the answer is to own less clothing. 

T the baby (not the train) was laughing his head off tonight while watching his brother dance around the kitchen.  He has the best laugh!  Anytime O shook his head T started belly laughing. 

T has been gaining weight and keeping the doctors happy so I've been able to relax a bit with when, what and how much he eats.  This means that T gets to have more fun exploring food and trying to self feed and he's loving it.  This week he went crazy for eggs.  He was practically jumping out of the high chair trying to get at the bowl.  Watermelon, yogurt and apple sauce were also hits.  He does awesome getting a pre-loaded spoon in to his mouth 90% of the time.  Sadly, his eye gets the other 10%. 

Old friends, outings, upcoming posts and pets

I'm so happy to see updates from some fellow SMC bloggers that I haven't heard from in awhile. Welcome back Jo from All That She Wants  and Heather from MammaWannabe   I have missed you both!  I can't believe how big your little ones are now -  I remember when they were just two lines on a pregnancy test!

I finally decided on a stroller and I freaking love it!  I went with the Cit.y Mi.ni because it was roomier for Mr. O.  I used it today for the first time going in and out of a few stores and it was so much easier.  I didn't have to chase Mr. O around and it handled like a dream.  T the baby was loving it too since he had a better view than he usually does being trapped in the baby bucket.  It was beyond adorable looking down and seeing tiny baby toes peeking out.  

T the baby is going to be 11 months old tomorrow.  I really can't believe we are closing in on a year since his arrival.  I have the usual "waaahhh, my baby is a year old!" stuff going on all mixed up with still processing his dramatic birth and NICU stay.  I think you'll be seeing a few posts about that in the next few weeks because I think it might help to get it out. 

The boys now have pets!  Mr. O has been wanting a pet fish for weeks so we finally went and got some.  He picked out a pink fish tank and two mickey fish (one for him and one for his brother).  He named them after himself and his brother since they are friends.  They both like to watch them swimming around.

4 years ago and other randoms

Mr. O has existed for 4 years.  I remember walking out to my car after the IUI with my hand on my belly and trying to will those swimmers to find that egg.  I started to tell O that today was an important day but it got complicated quickly so I changed the subject to ice cream.  Maybe his conceptioniversary is a day for me to remember on my own.  I know I would be creeped out if my parents insisted on telling me about the moment I was created. 

Life is crazy busy here and I'm working on a list of fun things that I want to do with the boys this summer.  Last year was kind of lame since I was miserable from all day morning sickness for the first half and stuck in the NICU with T for the second half.

Trying to decide what kind of double stroller to get is making me nuts.  I just can't make up my mind!  I have narrowed it down to the B.o.b or the Ci.ty Mi.ni.  Any one have feel strongly about one or the other? 

Seeing lots of fellow SMCs trying for #2 and it's giving me a touch of baby fever.  Good luck, Ladies! 

I love watching the boys interact with each other.  T loves his big brother - especially big brother's hair!  He gets the biggest smile on his face anytime O's hair is in grabbing distance.  So far O is too quick for him to get a good grip but it's only a matter of time.  I'm sure there will be tears but for now it's fun to watch.

Accepting that you're done

Today was our first really warm day since last summer.  How is summer already right around the corner?  Summertime will bring T's first birthday!  I'm not ready for that.  His baby days are slipping away and while it's really exciting to watch him grow and tackle new milestones it's also kind of sad knowing that he's most likely my last baby.  I say most likely because my heart isn't ready to say that I'm 100% sure that my family is complete. I'm closing the baby door but I'm not locking it.  If I was younger I think a third could happen.  If I meet someone in the next few years maybe there could be another little one.  If I win the lottery there absolutely would be more children.  I let my heart hold on to those "ifs" but as T is outgrowing things they are leaving my house.  Tiny clothes and baby gear is not being put away for another baby. 

3!!!

My sweet little O is now 3!  (YIKES)
 I remember the day he was born and thinking how unreal it was that someday he would be 3 and how far off that seemed.  Now I just can't believe how quickly it got here.  These past 3 years have been so full of joy and love.  I've enjoyed every minute with my boy and I'm just so grateful that I get to be his Mom.

He loves to "chug" (play with his trains) and will happily do so for many hours a day.  His trains have great adventures and nothing makes him happier than having me or his grandmother chug with him.  I always feel so guilty if we get to the end of the day and I hadn't found a few minutes to chug.  

He has developed quite an independent streak and it makes me a little nuts.  His need to do something or get something himself can strike at anytime and O.M.G. the whining if you have dared to get him a spoon or pour some milk in his cup.  The only way to make it stop is to let him put the spoon back in the drawer/milk in the fridge/jacket back on the hook so that he can re-do the task himself.  Did I mention that it makes me nuts?

He's still very snuggly and loves to give out hugs and kisses.  Every morning I'm greeted with the biggest smile and the best kisses.  He then has to check on his baby brother and give him a kiss too.  It's adorable.

Bed time is my favorite time of day (and not just because I might get some time to myself).  We read a few stories and then we cuddle up close.  We talk about trains, upcoming plans, trains and recap our day.  Then I have to sing him his favorite song  over and over until he falls asleep.  The song changes every few weeks and he just replaced "So long, Farewell" from the So.und of M.us.ic  to the Bea.tles  "I W.ill". 

His favorite foods are black beans and black olives - but they can't touch. EVER.

2 isn't twice the work

Having 2 kids isn't just twice the work it's more like 14 times the work.  I'm exhausted!  Happily exhausted.  Mr. O is a whirlwind of GO! GO! GO! and keeping up with him is tough enough without also having to take care of another tiny human.  I wish there was a way to get the posts in my brain blogged without me having to actually type them.  Since that isn't possible I'm going to have to give up the idea that a post has to be perfect and just post the 3 or 300 words that I can manage at any time.  There are too many things that I want to put here that are getting lost because I keep thinking that I'll have time later.  Later never happens! 

Little T is a dream baby and so laid back.  He's a great sleeper and actually takes naps.  O never did and it is sooo nice to have a baby that naps.  We've been having some trouble with weight gain lately so I started solids a little earlier than I had planned.  I had to start with jarred baby food because I have to add some calorie boosters and need to be able to measure servings and calories (also not as I had planned).  Once we get back on track and he's sitting up on his own we'll transition to baby led weaning - at least that is that plan. 

Mr. O is 13 days away from being 3.  OMG, 3!  How does that happen?  Too fast, too fast!  He is amazing.  I love watching him love on his little brother.   He tells him all the time that he loves him and that he has to eat so that he can be big enough to play trains with him.