Our word for 2014: LIVE

MAN, 2013 was a doozy. It started out pretty well. Lots of snuggling with a new baby. Matt started a new, much more demanding job. I went down to part-time at work. We decided to house hunt in March and then things got off course. We found a house, got into a bidding war, and then slowly entered the nightmare that would be the next six months of dealing with actually getting into the house. We spent weeks preparing our house to put on the market and it sold within days to lovely people. Moved in with my parents for four weeks, which turned into about four months. My sister had a baby. We finally moved. The Gala I work on came quickly after that and I was consumed with work. We raised $3.7 million. We hosted Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and then my sister's baby shower in the span of two weeks.

I'm sure I'm missing lots of things in there... A started walking. B started eating... sometimes. We decided to keep W in preschool because of his late birthday. We got new tires on our SUV and a new bed for our room. We spent time in Michigan and Wisconsin. B took a bad fall, that resulted in a concussion and stitches. W had a million cavities filled (poor thing has my teeth). B started preschool. We were gifted an awesome swing set and Matt took it apart and put it back together. My grandpa died. I started contributing to Chicago Parent.

What I'm trying to say is it was always something and we kind of just put our heads down and hunched our shoulders waiting for the next thing to fall on us. After March we didn't have any real time to just BE. We made a lot of quick decisions that resulted in major changes. Our family was in a domino effect... Things just started going and we were running from place to place, making decision after decision. Our life completely changed in 2013. Like COMPLETELY. We went through some very stressful times. A lot that I didn't share here... As I posted half of the number of times that I had in previous years.

So, in 2014... We're going to focus on the word: LIVE. We need to be in every moment, focus on the things that will just allow us to live our lives every day in the best way. It might sound silly, I'm sure. But, we're really trying to live our lives in 2014 and get out from the changes that were so consuming in 2013 when we spent a lot of time with our heads down, trying to run from one thing to the next or weighed down by the stress of our day to day lives. And piece by piece we'll bring our home renovations to light for all of you... And then you'll see what we were dealing with!

Do you have a word for 2014?

My Advice on Moving

I'm playing catch up after this year's Gala season... In all the madness I managed to write a post for Chicago Parent about moving with little kids. Our move was not smooth (read: NOT AT ALL). We underestimated the time it would take, ran out of boxes countless times, forgot about entire parts of the house, and Matt and I weren't really communicating well.

So, my advice comes from what we did right (color code boxes) and what I learned from what we did very, very wrong.

Hope you enjoy it!

Lessons Learned From Kids With a Stomach Bug

First, the lessons:

1. You can do eight loads of laundry in one day.
2. Pillows are machine washable.
3. A "dry clean only" tag on quilts and duvet covers does not have to be followed.
4. Pedialite is totally gross.
5. Vomit is not as gross when it's your kid's vomit.

Now, the back story:

On Sunday night we got home late after a long drive home from a family reunion in Iowa. We had stopped late for dinner. We were all exhausted. Around 3 am W woke up yelling for me and by the time I got to his room he had already thrown up. I swept him into the bathroom, calmed him down, cleaned him up, and Matt took care of stripping his bed and putting his sheets in the wash. By the time he was done, W and I were curled up in our bed.

I really thought it was just the late burger that made him sick. But, around 5 am he started throwing up again. Matt and I both resumed our roles and B started calling from his crib where we found that he too had gotten sick. Another mattress was stripped and so began our day of carrying laundry baskets up and down the basement stairs.

We're pretty sure it was food poisoning. W got sick again after he had lunch and the two of them hardly ate or drank anything for the rest of the day. We stayed in the house and spent a hot Labor Day quarantined. I gave each boy his own super bubbly, warm bath. I scrubbed the bathroom. I grocery shopped and planned for this week's meals. I made a couple future dinners. And did I mention the laundry?

Things are better today. We took it slow and they both seem to have bounced back. Labor Day was a long day in our house.

Lessons From The Dailey Method

I've been going to classes at The Dailey Method for the last few weeks. It's been really great for me. Not only has it given me time for myself, but it's also been a good reminder that pregnant ladies need to get their exercise on.

Here are five things I've learned from working out at The Dailey Method:

1. The Dailey Method (like so many other types of exercise) is a practice... You have to work at it, sometimes you're just a mess and other days you're in the zone. There are hundreds of things that affect you each day, so don't stress if you're not "on." Practicing is a step in the right direction.

2. You look and feel better when you're working out in nice gym clothes. Yes, lululemon and Lucy and Athletica might be a little expensive, but worth getting some good basics. You're going to watch yourself in a mirror, splurge a little and feel good about what you see.

3. Little movements make big differences. Just go to a class and you'll understand.

4. Pregnant women can work out and will feel better if they do. Yeah, sometimes you have to modify an exercise or stop for water more often... But, all in all, even a tough work out - like The Dailey Method - is doable.

5. Mom needs some time. The women who own this location are moms, most of the teachers have been moms. They get it. Remember the failed attempt at keeping the boy's in the kid's room? No one judged me for leaving my kids in there in the first place... Instead, they apologized that I wasn't able to use the hour of time I had carved out for myself. I knew they understood.

I've loved these classes. Loved clearing my head, feeling good afterward, and feeling strong. So, moms, whether it's The Dailey Method or something else, find your outlet.

Full disclosure: I received an unlimited month of classes at The Dailey Method North Shore location. All opinions are my own.

Need An Investigator?

For From Left to Write Book Club we read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, a mystery about a woman who disappears on her anniversary. This post is inspired by the book.
 
I secretly wish I was an investigative journalist. OK, maybe this isn't such a secret... It's just something I think I'd be really good at. I love figuring things out, thinking of things from different points of view, and bringing down the bad guy. Can you tell I've put some thought into this one?

Here are some other qualifications for your consideration:

• I have an excellent memory: Granted, this is getting worse with each child I add to our family.
• People open up to me pretty easily once I gain their trust: Maybe it's because I'm an open book and tend to ask probing questions... 
• I am a superb secret keeper: This could also be why people open up to me.
• People often assume I know more than I do: When admitting a mistake she knew I wasn't going to be happy about, a good friend of mine once told me that she feels like I always know the truth whether someone tells me or not.
• I'm suspicious of everyone and their motives: Sometimes this make me seem stand-offish, but I need a little extra time to figure people out.
• I have great instincts: I just do.

Maybe one day I'll realize my dreams, but for now I'm happy to continue spoiling movies for Matt. And making my boys work harder to fool me. I feel like I'll have enough outlets for my investigative skills in ten years... My poor kids don't stand a chance. My investigative skills paired with my mom ESP will make my mom proud. Trust me, I learned from the best.

This post is inspired by mystery thriller GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn. They may not have the perfect marriage, but after Amy goes missing, Nick becomes the number one suspect. Can he discover what happened before it's too late? Join From Left to Write on June 12 as we discuss Gone Girl. As a member, I received a complimentary copy of the book.

Do You Need An Appendix? This Week I Learned NOPE!

Things have been painfully quiet on the blog, which means the opposite in life usually... And this past week brought us the proof we needed that you do not in fact need an appendix. I know this because I no longer have mine.

I can get into the story later, but for now I want to take a moment to let you know that having an appendix removed and two children under the age of three doesn't work so well.

Here's why:
1. You're not supposed to lift anything more than 10 pounds for six weeks post-surgery. 
2. You are really tired during recovery and need some quiet.
3. It's hard to make kids understand why you can't lift them, put them to bed, or why they can't dive bomb you.
4. Showing your wounds to a 3 year-old kind of freaks him out... Even when you think he'll think it's cool.
5. If you have one centrally-located television and don't like to watch inappropriate shows in front of your kids, it's hard to just veg out and watch bad reality tv. 

But, there is one thing I can tell you... If you are lucky enough to have an awesome husband and great family, you will not lift a finger. I have not had to cook, clean, do laundry, perform bedtime or bathing rituals, load/unload the dishwasher, wake up early, or do just about anything. It's been kind of nice (if not making me totally stir crazy) and it's been much needed to recover.

And, apparently, lifting a finger even includes writing a more in-depth post about my appendectomy, which I'll get into later. For now, I need to go rest up and see if there are some Real Housewives on.

Words of Wisdom To Get Through The First Few Weeks With An Infant

The first couple weeks at home with a new baby are wonderful and shocking and emotional and a little scary and amazing... And there is no way you can prepare yourself for it. My BFF just had her first baby and I thought of a few things for her (and other new moms) to keep in mind in the first couple of weeks:

Hit the TV for some reality shows in the wee hours.
I made the mistake of holing up with W in his nursery during his nightly feedings, where it was too quiet and the hours seemed to drag on. It was just really isolating. I know it's recommended to stay in a quiet, dark place for the baby - But, seriously, I was a much happier mom the second time around when I filled the DVR up with reality TV and spent my overnight feedings catching up.

I used to turn my nose up at all of these shows, now I credit them with helping me avoid baby blues. You need something fluffy, fast paced, with a good dose of drama, and awesome sounds bites.

Here are my recommended shows: 

• Real Housewives: Any city, any season. These ladies never disappoint. Never.
• Tori & Dean: You somehow find yourself feeling "wow, stars are really just like us" and then are quickly reminded that "oh, no, they aren't.
• NY Ink: I'd never seen a reality tattoo shop show, but I especially enjoyed the drama from Chris Torres and comic relief from Robear. And, seriously, Ami is kind of adorable. And these people are serious artists.
• Tabatha Takes Over: Love her. Not great when you're totally exhausted, because it has slow moments. 
• Bethenny: Entertaining, but not my favorite choice.
• Shahs of Sunset: This show has major late night potential. 

Shows that may seem innocent enough, but should be avoided:

• Intervention: STAY AWAY! Suddenly every drug addict becomes someone's baby and you realize how precious and innocent everyone starts out in life and you start to get really depressed. DO NOT WATCH!
• Hoarders: Also a show that makes you wonder how people can go from the sweet baby in your arms to someone so incredibly broken. Stay away from the sad!
• A Baby Story: Might seem like a good idea, but it just isn't. Trust me.

Stay hydrated.
Your schedule is all over the place. You're often stuck sitting, whether nursing or holding a sleeping baby. You're uncomfortable from the whole birthing thing and the thought of standing and walking is a little too much. Many, many reasons you're not going to refill your water glass. Remember: staying hydrated makes a huge difference with breastfeeding.

Expect to cry.
Get used to crying. Randomly. It's normal, but it's shocking. The crying sneaks up on you just about anywhere. It starts innocently... when you're holding your baby and imagine some kid making fun of them on the playground... And then it starts creeping up just about anytime, like in mid-conversation at dinner. But, we've all been there and it's ok. And then one day it stops.

I often found myself in full tears, ugly crying, and repeating "I don't know why I'm crying. I just don't know why I'm crying." You're crying because you're postpartum. Accept it.

It goes fast.
Sometimes when a baby is crying or won't sleep... or doing some other stressful infant thing it's really easy to get caught up in the moment. Focus on the big picture and remember these moments pass and the weeks fly by in the blink of an eye.

It feels consuming sometimes, like you can't see the forest for the trees. But, focus on the moments and know it goes by fast. This is the only time you'll have with your child when you are totally devoted to holding them, cuddling them, and just being their mom. Savor those moments, even when you're exhausted, because they go so fast.

Having an infant isn't easy, but it's something you'll quickly look back on and recall as being some of the sweetest, most loving moments in your life as a mom.

Any other words of wisdom to add?

No Two Sick Kids Are Alike

It's just as everyone says: Your kids will be very different from each other. And mine are very different... Especially when they're sick.

B spiked a 104.6 fever on Saturday evening. The highest fever I have ever seen. He was otherwise happy and seemed normal. Until he wasn't -- And then things went downhill fast. This is the first time I've really dealt with a super sick B. And I just kind of expected it would play out the way it does with W.

In the most simple ways they are the most different:

• W is up throughout the night when sick. B sleeps right through.
• B refuses all medicine, wrestles you, clenches his teeth, spits it out, all drama. W would happily open his mouth for the dispenser and still asks for more.
• B likes Pedialite and happily drinks it. W has never accepted it.
• W tends to get cranky and lethargic when he's sick. B still has a big smile on his face and is still all over the place.
• B is a puker. Actually, he's a projectile vomiter. W rarely throws up. I think he's only thrown up 2 or 3 times.

So, what's the point? The point is this: Once you feel like you know how to deal with a sick kid, the next one will throw you for a loop. Your expectations for having a sick kid and how they'll act (like everything else) continues to change and defy your expectations.

Five Really Stupid Things I Did Yesterday

First, let's get something straight: I am not pregnant. None of the things I am about to share with you are on account of baby brain.

Yesterday was one of those days... I felt like I just couldn't seem to pull it together or get my brain to kick in. I have a lot on my plate right now, so it's not a huge surprise. Consider this post a little reminder that we all have bad days, brain shutdowns, and no matter how hard you try, sometimes modern motherhood makes it hard to keep it all together.

Here are the five stupid things I did yesterday:

1. I showed up at W's preschool to pick him up a half hour early. I pulled into the lot and wondered where the rest of the cars were. It's only five minutes away, so I went home to get more work done.

2. When I picked up W, his teacher handed me his Valentine's Day package, stuffed with valentines from his classmates. I was bummed W had to miss his first Valentine's Day party since he was sick, but it would have been a disaster. We were instructed to bring valentines without names on them. I read the information and thought I was supposed to bring ONE valentine without a name on it. Poor W would have gone to school with the very cute homemade valentine instead of one for each of the kids in his class. Cannot begin to figure out how I almost f'ed up his first Valentine's Day party.

3. After last week's guilt-inducing preschool pick-up, I made a lunch date with one of this little pals at a place we go to often. It's very close to home, but you have to jump on the expressway. I started to drive and took the exit we normally would when heading to Wisconsin. Luckily, those "authorized vehicle" turn-arounds came in handy.

4. After leaving the place where we had lunch, I realized I had left W's jacket at the table. Luckily it was in the lost & found in the manager's office.

5. Last night we had dinner with Brittany and Scott (a hooray you've returned kinda dinner) and then headed to a movie. I had a Groupon for the tickets and when I went to pull out my phone... Um, GONE. Well, not GONE, still sitting on the table in the restaurant. Scott, ever then gentleman, ran back and retrieved it for me.

All in all, no major damage or losses. I got lucky. But, seriously... I couldn't catch a break yesterday. My brain is clearly overstuffed.

List for Getting Ready for Baby #2

I found getting ready for Baby #2 to be an entirely different experience than #1. You don't receive a list like you did the first time. No presents are arriving at your door and there isn't a shower to make sure you have all the odds and ends. Instead you try to remember what you'll actually use, where you put it, and then dust it off. And you feel like you should just know what to do. Except this time around you're getting ready for a baby with another kid to take care of, so it's not just about you and baby this time around.

A friend of mine recently asked for some advice as she prepares for #2, so I've put together a little list of the top five things to get ready for Baby #2:

1. STOCK UP. Stock up on necessities. Toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, diapers, frozen chicken, pasta, crackers. Have back-ups of everything you use on a daily or weekly basis that isn't fresh. The last thing you are going to want to do with two kids in the midst of post-partum recovery is go to the store. This will give you an opportunity to make a quick trip to the store for a few things. Good excuse for a get-away that wouldn't take too long.

2. CLOTHES. Go through all the baby clothes. Donate the pieces that are stained or over-worn. Pull out what will work for your current season and then wash and organize by size. It doesn't just stop with baby's clothes... Don't forget you have another one who is probably going to transition into a new season and size in the first few months of baby. Get online and get your basics covered. Trust me, the thought of hitting up Gap Kids or Old Navy after the baby is born will put you over the edge.

3. YOUR NEEDS. Don't forget about you. Get yourself at least four new pairs of yoga pants and lots of comfortable cotton t-shirts. I was pretty happy with the Liz Lange Maternity line from Target. This will be your uniform and with how tired and yucky feeling you may be, having newish clothes that aren't already faded out and stained will make you feel a little better. Also, don't forget to have plenty of pads on hand (ladies, it's the truth), as well as extra shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer... All of those things you don't want to all of sudden be without one morning. It also might be a good idea to get some sort of dry shampoo and bronzer for those last minute visitors.

4. MEALS. I always bring good friends a couple of meals when they have new babies, mainly because feeding people is just kind of in my blood. Since we were living with my parents when W was born, I had no idea what a life saver meals are in the first two weeks. I, personally, hate pre-made frozen meals from the grocery store. So, I went to our local poultry place and purchased a few meals and then two of my most awesome friends brought me a few meals. This was huge. HUGE. Enlist some help if you don't have rock stars who might just bring meals over or cook now and freeze. Trust me, LIFE SAVER.

5. DOUBLE STROLLER. I completely underestimated what double stroller hunting was going to be like, so waited until the baby was here to do it. And then I put it off week after week until I couldn't handle it anymore. If you are having a baby when the weather permits you to go outside, get your double stroller ahead of time. Don't wait. Go get one. And if you're me, you should go get the Bumbleride. It's expensive, but I LOVE it. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

There you have it! Just be ready to feel like a real official mom. I felt like a mom with W, but having a second is very different. There's something really cool about having a newborn when you already trust your mom instincts, are confident in your mothering skills, and have this insane capacity for love that only mothers have for their children.

Recently Heard Around Here

Things we never expected to say, but now have...

• "Oh sh*t, he pooped in my hair." (Me to Matt during a late night diaper change and, YES, somehow he pooped in my hair and OF COURSE I had actually taken a shower and dried my hair earlier that day!
  
• "I'm not sure what to do, but he peed in his ear. How do you clean that up?" (Me to Matt after B had showered himself and the room)
  
• "They absolutely did not give Howie a bath. I don't know how else I'd explain what's on my shorts." (Matt to me after we picked up Howie from the kennel this weekend after wondering whether it included a bath. Luckily we realized this before getting home when a mystery brown spot appeared on Matt's shorts, so he could be put directly in the bathtub)
• "Maybe you need to get over your own vanity and consider a minivan." (Matt to me in one of our never-ending "what new car should we buy" conversations. My reply: NO.)
• "I really don't want to go tomorrow night. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable leaving the boys for that long." (Me to my mom when discussing her plans to watch the boys tomorrow night while Matt and I see a show.)
• "If you come into our house, you're guaranteed to see some boob." (Me to just about anyone who comes into my house. Interested in a visit?)

Does that sum up how things are going around here these days?

My Crying Tour

In the last 24 hours I've cried in the following public places:

1. Kid Snips: The stylist told me to walk away from W when he was clinging to me and acting like he was being tortured in his taxi shaped chair as he watched Winnie the Pooh and the nice lady sprayed his hair down with water. I walked away, feeling the emotions rise. Then she started to cut his hair and it got shorter and shorter and suddenly I'm that strange lady sobbing to her husband in Kid Snips. The stylist only then realized we also had a baby with us, asked how old he was, and then nodded sympathetically. The woman at the desk told me about crying all over the place with her newborn daughter. I appreciated their concern and shared experiences. But, I wasn't embarrassed. I didn't need comforting, because I know how it goes.

2. Whole Foods: We did some shopping and then had lunch there. A woman at the next table spent about 20 minutes full on staring at the boys. We probably looked like a happy little family, sharing lunch on a Thursday with the chattiest toddler around. When she walked away Matt commented on how nice it must be to be that age and see young families out and about. My response: "Are you kidding me? It must be terribly depressing. Let's not talk about this." Cue wistful tears.

3. Car Dealership: We currently have one sedan. It works fine, but with two car seats and a dog, we're not exactly going to be comfortably cruising to Michigan or Wisconsin. Remember when we had that Chevy Traverse? Well, now that's what I want... So, we're looking for one. We have some specific criteria for what we want and what we're willing to pay and it's going to be hard to find the right car. I'm not sure why, but when Matt explained we have a newborn and a two and a half year old and need to upgrade to a family car to the sales guy, I just got all sappy and teary. But, luckily, no one noticed.

So, why the crying? Why the anxiety? Because I had a baby about two minutes ago, that's why. I knew this would happen, it happened with W.

I know I'm not crazy. Ok, well not totally crazy (I'm a little nuts, sure). Lots of extra estrogen, total lack of sleep, recovering from GIVING BIRTH, and the whole birth/mortality wake up call is like a recipe for emotional disaster area. I know how scary it was the first time around, but with a little perspective I've learned to laugh (in between the crying) and remind myself that it will pass.

And these all just happened yesterday. I have weeks of random crying fits to look forward to. Not to mention the nightly "Will I actually get any sleep tonight?" anxiety attacks, the guilt about rocking W's world, the post-maternity body issues, the slap in the face that W is getting so old and this baby is going to be huge in about 3 seconds, and the shift from working mom to maternity leave...

So, if you know a new mom or if you are a new mom and these crying fits scare you, know that they'll pass. Sure, thinking about your sweet little kid going off to school brings on anxiety about the possibility of other kids being mean to him. And, yeah, suddenly you're convinced that every situation is dangerous and germs are covering every surface of the world. But, hey, that's normal. It's normal to be freaked out. Super mom is not born with the baby. Hell, super mom doesn't even exist. We're human, we're emotional, we're overwhelmed, we're flawed, but we have a huge capacity for love. An ability I never knew I had until I became a mom to W. And now that I've got two... Watch out, emotions.

A little advice: If you see a tired looking woman (who might be pregnant, but is dragging around a baby carrier) crying, the best thing you can do is pretend not to notice, turn your head, and be on your way. She doesn't need a hug. She needs a nap and maybe some ice cream.

Did I Mention We're Ready?

I wanted to circle back on a post that I know made a lot of you nervous... Remember this one? The one when I listed all the things we had to do before baby's arrival? I think I wrote it after my doctor mentioned that she thought I might go early and I started to get nervous and freak just a little?

One of the most frustrating things about blogs is that people tend to put something out there, but then don't circle back on the resolution... So, I thought I'd circle back on this one with a little update for all of you who were concerned. And thank you all for the offers of help and reminders that I needed to pull it together.

The List of Things That Should Have Been Done A Month Ago, But Now Are (or almost are):

1. Sorting and washing the baby clothes. DONE!

2. Moving W into his new room. DONE!

3. Packed for the hospital. Pretty close, but I keep having to unpack stuff...

4. Pulled out all the baby stuff... I still have to go through some stuff, but nothing major.

5. Chosen a name. DONE! But, we're not sharing it with anyone else. I totally get why people don't share names now. It's obvious when people don't like a baby name and I'm not interested in any other opinions.

Hope that makes all of you feel better about the situation at the Hannemaniac household. In my usual fashion, I pulled it together just in time. Now it's just a matter of waiting.

And, for the record, being ready is another reason I'm convinced that I won't go into labor any time soon.

39 Weeks Pregnant and Waiting...

I'm beginning to think that I can't go into labor naturally. Granted, I still have five days until my official due date, but if it was going to happen I think it would have already... Seriously, I'm immune to going into labor or something (I was induced eight days after W was born).

Five reasons why if it was gonna happen, it woulda:

1. I had an event for work on Thursday night at Wrigley Field, which meant I was hauling myself up and down stairs, on and off the field, on and off a stage, and standing for about 10 hours. Oh yeah, and I got hit in the ankle by a ball while walking across the field. While I'd like to pretend it was by a professional player, I'd put the perpetrator at about 13 years old. But, seriously, have you ever been hit by a baseball? Whoa, water should have broken right then.



2. Friday night my mom and sister made what is supposed to be the eggplant parmesan recipe that is guaranteed to induce labor. For the second pregnancy in a row, it has not worked. But, man, it is really good. Everyone was actually looking forward to eating it again. Labor intensive, but not labor inducing.



3. I got myself a pedicure on Saturday morning and then attended a first birthday party. You pick, either should have put me in labor.

4. I gardened today. That should do it, right? Nope.

5. We made a run for wings tonight. And they were hot. I also took a walk once we got home.

I am totally convinced that no amount of chasing W, no matter how many times I waddle into the basement to do laundry, nothing will make a difference. All week well meaning people told me about the dinner party for 10 that put them into labor or the spicy meal or whatever it may be that worked for them... And it gave me hope. Then every morning I wake up, still feeling good, and my gut tells me that it will not be the day. For a control freak, like me, the last week of pregnancy is terrible. No matter what I do, I'm not in charge.

A friend of mine heard that the pressure of a storm is rumored to get labor moving for some women. I can hear the thunder starting now. Maybe there's still a chance.

False Labor and How Not to Deal With It

I didn't go into labor with W. I didn't even get close. So, there is a part of me that wonders if I'll even know when I'm in labor. Clearly, I can't tell you how to deal with being in labor, but I can tell you how not to deal with false labor.

I've been having contractions on and off for the last week. Things are happening. Wanting to be responsible and after being nudged by a friend, I called my doctor's office on Tuesday to let them know that movement had totally slowed down. I left the nurse a voicemail around noon and then was away from my desk for the rest of the afternoon. She called me back three times, insisting I go to Labor and Delivery to get on a monitor.

So, here are a few gems that I've learned in the last week that I'd like to share with you. For many, these are obvious no-no's. For me, not so much.

Things Not To Do When Dealing With False Labor:

1. Don't say to the nurse on the phone who has just told you to go to the hospital: "Really, I have to go to the hospital? I can't just wait until my appointment tomorrow?" You will receive silence and a sigh before hearing "No."

2. When you do go to the hospital, do not say to the nurse: "This should take like 15 minutes, right?" You will get a blank stare and then spend the next two hours watching the clock while hooked up to a monitor.

3. Do yourself a favor and don't start to complain to yourself that the bed you're laying in isn't very comfortable and the room feels stuffy and the volume on the tv is pretty bad... Because you'll be spending a lot of time there in the very near future.

4. When your friends can see a nervous look on your face while you're chatting after dinner/having contractions and offer to drive you home, do not insist on taking the train. I'm glad I changed my mind. (Thankfully I have friends who know me well...)

5. When you're having contractions in the middle of the night and decide to go watch some tv, do not under any circumstances watch Steel Magnolias... Especially if you work for a diabetes organization. Weeping through contractions alone on the couch... Not cool.

Under two weeks until the due date... Just imagine what other lessons I still have time to learn.

Baby To-Do List: Things I Haven't Done Yet

Welcome, May, the month in which we should be welcoming a new member of our family. I never thought you'd get here -- And I apparently still don't quite believe it. I am so far behind on pre-baby stuff, it's laughable.

Here's the list of things I have managed to put off:

1. Sorting and washing the baby clothes.

2. Moving W into his new room. Each weekend I think of a reason we have to give it more time.

3. Packed for the hospital. I just don't even know where to begin. I didn't use anything in the suitcase last time, I just kind of feel like packing one is a waste of time. But, I know I should. I will. Probably when I go into labor.

4. Pulled out all the baby stuff, as in swing, car seat, diaper caddy, bjorn, bouncy seat, activity mat, bassinet, blankets, bottles. I think it's all in a closet at my mom's house. Outta sight, outta mind.

5. CHOSEN A NAME! So, yeah, this is a big one.

Mind you, each of these were on my to-do list this weekend, but never made it to the top. We were busy pretty much every minute of every day this weekend, but none of it amounted to getting stuff crossed off the baby list.

I'm sure this is only a small sampling of what I should have done by now. A lot of people have asked when I'm going to stop working and I've been surprised to get the question, I just figured you stop working when you have the baby. I get it now. Not that I'm going to take time off before the baby arrives, but I get why people do. How else do you get ready?

I'll be ready when I need to be, but right now I'm just too busy and too frazzled to focus. If they make Ritalin for pregnant ladies, I could really use some right about now.

Top Five Easter Lessons

It seems like once a kid hits two, the holidays are just more real and exciting. Each holiday that we celebrate teaches us a couple of things about being parents, so I thought I'd share the Top 5 lessons we learned this Easter (please keep in mind that we strictly celebrate holidays commercially, not religiously.):

1. When dying eggs find a better way to tell your child not to splash when dropping eggs into the dye without using the word "splash." The word "splash" somehow unleashes an extreme need to do so.

2. Do not compare the Easter Bunny to Santa Claus. These are two very different holidays, but a kid who wakes up expecting Christmas 2.0 is bound to ask, "What else did the Easter Bunny bring me?" after ripping through a silly basket and then ask everyone who walks in the door what they have for him. Or at least my kid will ask these questions.

3. Do not underestimate squirrels when hiding your plastic Easter eggs. One of the eggs was chewed through within an hour of being hidden. (Have I mentioned how aggressive our squirrels are?)

4. Deciding that a kid who doesn't have much sugar can eat all the chocolate he wants on Easter will back fire. W doesn't get much sugar and he has had limited exposure to candy. So, when he opened up the one egg in his basket and shrieked, "TREATS! Please don't take them away from me!" I'd be lying if I didn't feel a little stab of guilt for being a mean, treat-stealing mommy, so I assured him that it was a special day and he could eat all the chocolate he wanted. When Monday morning rolled in and he requested chocolate for breakfast I knew we might have a problem. Then today he asked for chocolate and when his request was denied, he whined, "I need it, because I LOVE CHOCOLATE!" We've created a monster.

5. When making hard boiled eggs do not use salt and vinegar, do give eggs a cold bath after boiling. I heard somewhere that adding salt to your boiling eggs would make them easy to peel. My mom recommended I use vinegar. So, I went ahead and added in both. I blame this move for the tiny, crackling egg shells that resulted in terribly ugly, pock-marked unpeeled eggs. Afterward I did some internet research and realized that I should have also given those eggs a cold bath after boiling them, though I'm confident it was too late at that point.

Regardless of our rookie mistakes, we had a great Easter. Both sets of grandparents under one roof is pretty much the best thing that can happen to W, especially when his aunts and uncles are there slipping him another piece of chocolate on demand.

Earth Day 2011

I try really, really hard to be environmentally responsible. I really do. I'm not going to extremes, but I do get the occasional eye roll from some of my friends (not naming any names) when they think I'm reaching a little too far to get in touch with my inner bohemian, tree hugger.

Yes, there are things I need to get better about (like buying new things, reusing ziploc bags, not wasting food), but each year I feel like I'm making significant changes in the right direction.

Last March we watched No Impact Man and I wrote this post. To sum it up, I was tired of complaining about the world going to hell and not doing anything about it. I set up some goals to make myself more environmentally accountable. Here they are with an update on our progress:

Goals from March 2010:
1. My office has sleeves of plastic cups for water and they are used at an incredible rate. I stopped using a plastic cup and brought a metal bottle from home. I figure I have saved over 40 cups in the last two and a half months. That's insane. If any of my co-workers are reading this... Ahem... The Alderman may have to come out on this one.

UPDATE: Success. Yay! Our Office Director gave us all cups when we moved offices in June. We're all in on it now. I have really good co-workers.

2. I've really been trying to bring my own bags when shopping. Trust me, I forget a lot, but I'm TRYING.

UPDATE: 70% of the time I remember. Lately, I've been doing a lot better, though.

3. I'm only buying "green" cleaning products, which I know does not necessarily mean they are good for the environment, but it's the closest I can get.

UPDATE: 90% success. Yes, we wash our floors with vinegar, but I have yet to break up with those easy little dish washer detergent blocks.

4. I'm trying to turn off the lights. You're welcome, Mom.

UPDATE: Work in progress.

5. Guess who started taking the train? Yup! It increases the commute time, however gives me some nice quiet time to read and a nice mile long walk between the station and my office.

UPDATE: LOVE the train and since my office moved I only have to walk a few blocks now.

6. We're doing some home improvement that will help us with controlling temperature, including replacing five windows and covering a basement window well with insulation.

UPDATE: Windows were replaced and basement window covered and yes it made a big difference in heat and gas bills.

7. Less meat. Cooking with less chicken and more tofu than I usually would. (I don't cook red meat, so this isn't a huge stretch.)

UPDATE: Kind of failed.

8. Only buying organic milk/yogurt and trying to stick to organic vegetables and fruit when they look ok. (Hey, Jewel, your organic produce sucks.)

UPDATE: 80% of our fruits/vegetables are organic and I only purchase organic milk and eggs these days. (Hey, Jewel, your organic produce still sucks and is overpriced.)

My other goals were to start composting (SUCCESS!) and get my vegetable garden going (it's built and we had minimal success with tomatoes last year).

All in all, not so shabby. This year I have fewer goals, because the above are still being worked on.

Goals for 2011:
1. Get a real vegetable garden going. Tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, zucchini, and herbs shall make an appearance this year. Come over for a salad!

2. Less paper towel use. I have actually been trying to do this for the last few months and I've noticed a huge difference. Not everyone in our household is quite as compliant, but he's trying.

3. Stop wasting food. I have a terrible habit of forgetting what's in the fridge/cabinet and end up dumping stuff that's past its prime. I've gotten better, but I have a long way to go.

4. Reuse plastic ziploc bags. I have significantly cut down the number of plastic bags that I use by about 60% after a small investment in BPA-free plastic containers. Plastic bags were previously my go-to for storing food and packing our lunches. Now I use maybe two a week. Big difference.

Now that I've shown you mine, I want to know how you're being more responsible to our Earth... Did you make any changes last year that made a huge difference? What are your green goals for this year?

Five Pieces of Advice For a Younger Me

For the From Left to Write Book Club, we read "29." This post is inspired by the book.

I've always assumed I'd age well. My mom has always looked terrific for her age, so I just assumed I would too. Aging was something I didn't really give much thought. I never did anything to help shield myself from the years and gravity to come. And now, when I wake up in the morning the creases in my face don't smooth out quite as easily. At the end of the day, my eyelids seem a little heavier. Everything just doesn't seem to spring back into place the way it used to.

If I had the opportunity to revisit my old self, I would have five key pieces of advice to make the aging process a little easier:

1. Work out every day. If you think you don't have time now, just wait. Get into the habit and stay in it. You have all the time in the world, you fool.

2. Moisturize!

3. Use sunscreen. I know, I know... You have olive skin and don't burn YET, but you will. Just wait. And having moles removed leaves scars.

4. Just because stuff is on sale, doesn't mean you should buy it... in multiple colors. You'll be getting rid of all of that stuff in five years. Invest in some really nice pieces that will last forever.

5. Finally, get a budget! You're going to wish you had started saving all that extra money, instead of spending it on entertainment that you didn't need and in five years won't be able to remember. All of those glasses of sauvignon blanc and dirty martinis could pay for your future children's education!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the From Left to Write Book Club. You can read how this book inspired other bloggers here.

Holiday Card Lists

Cards are on my mind these days. I started working on our Valentine's Day cards this weekend. I also just wrote a post for TheChicagoMoms.com about why I think we received less holiday cards this year.

Answer: I have a hunch we're getting bumped by people who keep a check list each year and only mail to those who sent them a holiday card. Have you heard of this way of putting together holiday card lits? Well, we don't send holiday cards, but send Valentine's Day cards instead. So, does that count?

I just think that only mailing to those who mailed to you the year previously kind of takes the spirit out of holiday cards. Do you agree?

Check out my post for TheChicagoMoms.com here.