Wordful Wednesday: The Why I Heart This Man Edition.

It's time to play Wordful Wednesday, hosted by Seven Clown Circus...

Back in the days when I was still "expecting," Brian worried. He worried he wouldn't know what to do with the baby. That he wouldn't be a good dad. Even that he might not love her as much as he should.

Well, folks, it's six months later. And you know what? His worrying was all for nothing, just like I told him it would be (more proof that I'm always right). Tori couldn't ask for a better dad—and I couldn't ask for a better partner. He does his share of bottle making, diaper changing and sanity saving. Takes his turn on sleepless nights. And loves making her giggle just as much as I do.

These pics speak for themselves, wouldn't you say?

 

 

Yep, there's no doubt about it. I couldn't love him more if I tried.

Random Tuesday Thoughts: The Wardrobe Edition.

It's Tuesday, meaning it's time for some Random Thoughts hosted by the Un Mom. Ready? Here we go!

It's recently gotten very, very cold here. In fact, we actually had to turn on the heat last night. Which brought me to two realizations. First, I have no idea how to keep Tori snug and warm at night without putting a blanket on her (which I'm not supposed to do for another six months).

Second? I have nothing to wear. And I do mean Nothing. Last year, I was pregnant. So any cute clothes I had were of the maternity variety. The year before, I was in the middle of the Diet to End All Diets Part I, and so did not really buy anything new to wear. And the year before that? The year before that I was happily fat, but the clothes from that era are either a smidge too big, or have long since been donated to the Goodwill. Leaving me with nothing.

Fortunately, my birthday is coming.  Usually that happy occasion brings with it an influx of new sweaters and things. But the fashion that I've seen lately? Does not make me particularly happy. My thighs are not of the variety that look nice in leggings. Tunics make me look pregnant. And pleats? God save me from pleats.

It might be a boring year in the wardrobe department.

I really need to learn to sew. I have a kick ass sewing machine, but it sits neglected in the closet, because I have never actually figured out how to make it...sew. I love the idea of making my own clothes. I just don't like the work involved. In my heart of hearts, I really do prefer to be a slug.

However, inspired by all the cute baby tutus out there, I have decided to make Tori a fairy costume for Halloween (this will actually be her second costume. We picked up a dragon ensemble at the used kid's store this weekend). I've got yards and yards of green, yellow and white tulle in my car. Along with ribbon, and elastic, and even a new pair of sewing shears. I'm all set.

Anybody want to take any bets on whether or not I get it finished? I'd say I have a 50/50 chance...

Oh. By the way. When the Banishing the Baby Belly challenge is over and I have my body back? I'm totally going to buy me an outfit from Anthropologie. I love their clothes. I just don't love the prices. But after losing 30 pounds or so for the second time in 2.5 years? I'll totally deserve it.

Now all I have to do is get that weight moving off of me... Maybe some pretty new gym clothes would help. You think?

Help End the Silence.

Today, instead of taking up this space with the trivialities of my own life, I'd like to ask all of you to do a favor for me. Take the two or three minutes you'd normally spend here and go visit Violence Unsilenced.

Every week, women who have lived through terrible, terrible acts of violence bare their souls and their stories on this blog. The topics range from emotional and physical abuse to child molestation and even rape. Each story is unique - but they all have one thing in common.

These women are true Survivors. Super heroes, even. And they're brave enough to share their pain with us in an effort to end the silence around violence against women—one story at a time. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that these sorts of crimes are epidemic in this country (and across the globe). But, just in case you need a reminder, here's a video put together by the moderators of Violence Unsilenced.



Help tear down the wall of silence and shame that separates these women from the rest of the world. Visit Violence Unsilenced, support the survivors and share the link with everyone you know. After all, if they can find the strength to talk about it, you can find it in yourself to listen.

An Open Letter to All You Moms-to-Be

I know. You think you're prepared. You've read all the books. Taken the classes. Decorated the nursery. Completed your registry with care.

But honestly? You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

I know. You're tired of hearing that. You wish everyone would stop telling you how much your life is about to change. Because, really? You're pregnant. Your life has already been turned on its ear. And you are very much aware that popping another person out of your body has life-altering consequences, thankyouverymuch.

But truthfully? You have no idea how much your life is about to change. None.

You know why everyone keeps saying these things to you? It's not because they think you're stupid.  Or because they think you're ill-prepared. They know you're going into this with your eyes open.

They're telling you because they're thinking back to when they were in your shoes. They're remembering how knowledgeable they thought they were. They're looking back, and shaking their heads at their former selves.

Because they? Had no idea either.

There's no possible way to be prepared for the nuclear bomb that's about to shatter you into a million pieces and put you back together in an entirely different way.

You love your partner (or at least, I hope for your sake you do), but you have no idea how deeply you are capable of loving until you hold that pooping, puking mess you're about to give birth to.

You have no idea how vulnerable you're capable of feeling. How uncertain. How hard you're going to try to make everything perfect for him or her—and how deathly afraid you'll be of failing.

You can't imagine how tired you're about to be. How much you're about to cry. How hard you're about to laugh. How overwhelmingly beautiful (and horrifying) life is about to become.

You have no idea how much your life is about to change. And that's a good thing.

Enjoy these last moments of waiting. Of anticipating. Of sanity. Your life's about to change, baby, and there's no going back.

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 2

Well, here we are. One full week into the Banishing the Baby Belly challenge. How did you guys do?

I did...surprisingly well. Somehow, I managed to lose 1.6 pounds. Which, granted, isn't a huge loss, but given the fact that I've been PMSing up a storm, ate more than my share of brownies and belatedly learned that a ham salad sandwich from Honey Baked Ham was good for almost 20 (!!!) points, I'll take it.

I'm pretty sure it was the exercise that made the difference. I managed to move my bones four times this week (which is four times more than they've moved in the last two months). And that, I've always found, melts the pounds away faster than anything else.

This week's challenge? To make good on my promise to actually go. to. the. gym. It's not that hard, I know. But somehow? It is.

That's it for me. Your turn!

Top Ten Signs You Might Be PMSing.

For the last few hours, I've been scowling into my computer screen, silently grumbling, "I don't freaking want to write a blog post today. I've got nothing to say. And nobody listens to me anyway." Grumble, grumble, grumble.

And then it occurred to me. I must be PMSing (it's pretty much been a guessing game since the whole hatching a baby thing). Thus, this post idea was born. So, without further ado, here they are, the top ten signs you might be PMSing.

You kinda hate everybody you talk to.  Earlier today, I was sitting in a meeting with, oh, ten other people? As they talked, I just kept thinking about how much they annoyed me. And how much I wished they would just. shut. up.

Pants that fit yesterday now give you a decided muffin top. I'm wearing jeans that I swear were loose last time I put them on. Today? I had to wear a baggy ass shirt to hide the floofiness of my belly spilling over the top.

Chocolate becomes an essential food group. I know. It's terribly fattening, and only supposed to be eaten in small quantities. But on days like today? I crave a brownie, or better yet, a brownie smothered by death by chocolate ice cream and dripping hot fudge with every meal (diet? what diet?).

Your body's thermostat seems to be set at boiling. I may only be in my early 30s, but I get my share of armpit drenching, swamp ass inducing hot flashes. I'm sure menopause is going to be a treat.

No amount of sleep is enough.  As the mother of an infant, I'm generally tired at even the best of times. But right now, I feel like I could sleep for 24 hours straight (and probably still be exhausted).

Suddenly, every little mess becomes deeply offensive. My husband can always tell when I'm about to go on the rag, because I start cleaning. Everything. It's the only week of the month our house gets anywhere close to clean.

When not simmering in anger, you find yourself deeply depressed. Things that usually don't even phase me become cause for floods of tears. Things like...the fact that I forgot to put socks on my baby this morning.  You know, important stuff.

Plus, you really hate the world. What? Did I already say that? Well, I can't stress it enough. Stay away from me today, people.

When not craving chocolate, you find yourself binging on carbs. Science says carbs give us energy and make us feel better. I say they're the only thing keeping me from tearing your throat out.

And lastly...

You really can't be bothered to finish what you start. Things like this Top Ten list, for example. Yep, that's right. I'm done. No clever closing today...I think I'll go look at baby tutus instead.

Better luck tomorrow.

Wordful Wednesday: The Vacation Edition

Turquoise water. Fruity drinks. Endless sushine. And infinite feeding opportunities. It was everything I've ever wanted in a vacation...which is good, because, as it turns out, it was our last trip as free-wheeling, happy-go-lucky, non-parental types.

Yes, for this week's edition of Wordful Wednesday, hosted by Seven Clown Circus, I'm taking a trip down memory lane, back to the cruise we took last April. Why? Well, because with the arrival of fall, I always start hankering for a vacation (but rarely get one). There's nothing like falling leaves and chilly nights to make me start longing for more tropical locales.

In fact, just this afternoon, I spent some time pricing cruise vacations I can't afford to take. It's a hobby of mine. On this particular trip, we sailed aboard the Carnival Legend.

When we left, it was rather cloudy.

So we went inside and had the first of many, many fabulous meals (You'll notice a lot of these pictures feature me. That's because our camera was brand new and my husband was afraid, not unjustifiably, that I'd drop it).

Finally, though, the sun came out, and the drinking vacationing could begin.

We had an absolutely fabulous balcony cabin. If I ever get to go on another cruise, I refuse to settle for anything less.

This was the view...

 

The ship was pretty cool, too. Although, most of the time we were on board, we were either on our balcony, or out here.

After a couple days of fun at sea, we docked in Cozumel, our first port. We immediately made our way to the beach, where we swam with pretty fishes (one of which decided to sting me).

Next stop? Belize. We chose to go snorkeling, and man, am I glad we did. We dove off a boat and let the current carry us back to this cute little island...

Finally, we docked in Roatan. When I booked this cruise, I wasn't too sure about that particular port, but it turned out to be my favorite stop.

It had beautiful, beautiful beaches.

And even shipwrecks (which would suck if you were on that particular ship, but made for pretty photos)!

Finally, though, it was time for one last pina colada before heading home...

 Until next time. I hear Carnival has a great kids program...