How the Other Half Lives...

I anxiously said a final "see you later" to my colleagues and excitedly pushed open the large, 14' wooden double doors to the outside world. The blue skies, abundant sunshine and warmth of life in Colorado welcomed me. On Friday, I closed a chapter in my book of work {for the near future, that is} and started my new job yesterday as a stay-at-home-mom. It is not without bittersweet feelings.

Rewind to a moment about a month ago, as J is out of town for a work trip, our nanny painfully exclaimed that she couldn't fulfill her end of the contact, as her lifestyle {read: 21 and grocery shopping at Whole Foods} requires her to make more money that we can afford to pay her.

I called and emailed six in-home daycare locations with zero success, which led me to inquire with daycare centers - the only locations with availability just didn't seem affordable. Plus, I hated the idea of baby S in an infant room with a ratio of 1:5. I started to question, "what happens when multiple babies need fed, held, or are just crying?" or doubt my ability to get myself and two little princesses out the door every.single.morning. This was combined with my distaste to pumping at work, missing my girls and feeling like time was just flying by and my decision was pretty easily justified.

So...here we are.

At the very least there will be more time to blog {record memories}, and a rare opportunity to work on "projects" that I have in the pipeline and most importantly, have the unique gift to experience motherhood - full-time. That, I will be forever grateful for and I am confident this is a decision that I won't regret.

Stay tuned...

Welcome little one!

This month has been quite a wild ride. October is my favorite month for a multitude of reasons - it's my birthday month, it's prime for football (and post-season baseball when the Tigers progress), sweater season, all-things-pumpkin season and the list goes on...

I have a feeling this October will be similar to many future Octobers, as we now celebrate two birthdays. Mine and our second princess, Sophia. 

Please allow me to welcome Miss Sophia Lorryn to the world.

Birth Story

After a pregnancy filled with much concern over my platelet count, I had been fluctuating in the 90k range (normal is 145 - 450k, and an epidural becomes questionable if it is below 100k) for the past month of so of my pregnancy. On my due date, October 1st, I had my 40-week appointment with my OB late in the day. My blood was drawn then and she would expedite the results to have them first thing in the morning and together with my doc - we developed the following game plan: a) platelet count comes back in the 90's still and she orders an induction...or b) platelet count drops into mid-80's and we call my hematologist and obtain a plan to use steroids for a short-period and plan to induce on Tuesday with the hopes for a higher platelet count.  

Thursday, October 2nd
As I'm ready for work and nearly ready to get Alexis to her 2nd day of preschool at her new preschool, I receive a call at 8am from an unknown number. I immediately question if it is my doc, but it is soo early (or so I thought). Sure enough, platelet count came back as 107k. Yipee!! She states to head to the hospital, she has already called in the induction. 

Alexis heads to preschool where a neighbor/friend will pick her up and keep her during our hospital stay. 

I call Jeremy and tell him to come home - after he just arrived to work {note: 45 minute one-way commute}. We complete the hospital bags and head to the hospital. It seems so surreal. Of course, we thought we were going to meet our baby girl THAT evening. {Ha Ha!}

I felt as if we were checking into a hotel. The hospital has the name "Sky" in it and the locals nicknamed it "Spa..." 

Checked in: 10:30am

Don't really see a nurse until about noon. She wants to start pitocin and I request she call my doc b/c that is not my understanding. Sure enough, patient wins. Doc says "absolutely no pit!" - my cervix was barely dilated at 1cm...barely! Instead, they start cytotec - a teeny, tiny little pill that is not-so-nicely placed near the cervix to ripen it. The fun side effect - no going to the bathroom for the first two hours after it is placed. {of course, telling a pregnant woman not to go pee is the WORST thing in the world at this point}. P.S. - we go through this "pill placement" once every 4 hours...for 16 hours! 

After we watched our Tigers lose Game 1 of the ALDS. We go to sleep {me in the less-than-comfy hospital bed and J on the pull-out couch} - hoping to awake to some progress. 

2am - feeling the contractions

3am - waking J up to help me breath through them

4:30am - asking J to find the nurse to order me an epidural, now! 

Meanwhile, hello fentanyl x 2 doses - thank goodness!! 

Well, my nurse was in a delivery at that point, so the other nurses helping me didn't realize that I had to have blood work drawn to check platelet count {one more time} before an epi. So...30 minutes later - blood work. Result: 87...anesthesiologist agrees to perform - yay!! 90 minutes later - epidural. Works like a charm...I'm relieved and able to sleep.

8:30/9am ish - they realize I am fully dilated and they are calling my doc to join the fun!

Pushed for 15 minutes and out came a beautiful baby girl. Super long finger nails, full head of dark hair and onto my chest she arrived. Healthy 7# 3oz, 19.5" lil' peanut. 

Unfortunately, it took 45 minutes to extract the placenta...so that was real fun! :(

Thankfully, Sophia nursed right away and for nearly 30 minutes!

In the aftermath, it became apparent they needed to check the platelet count again prior to releasing the epidural tubing from my spine. This is when "dracula" came into and did a number on my arm {wish I would've taken a photo - it looked black/blue and disgusting for about 2 weeks!} and sure enough the count dropped to 70-something. So, they gave me a quick steroid shot and on Saturday afternoon my platelet count was 130+ and they were able to remove everything and then I was able to {finally} take a much-needed first shower. This also delayed my check-out and we weren't getting out until Sunday at noon. :( 

So...we watched the Tigers...lose. And on Sunday, we came home and watched the Tigers...lose. Yes, my hospital stay was longer than our beloved Tigers' post-season appearance. 

Miss L joined us Friday and Saturday evenings for family dinner and "get-acquainted" sessions. J said on Sunday evening at home - "I feel like our house is so full. {our family is complete} I feel so joyful!" 

Celebrating the big 3!

Happy birthday to the beautiful doll that has a personality that sparkles as bright as her pretty blue eyes!

Miss L is currently 37" tall, about 32#, wears size 2T/3T clothes, is potty trained (with the exception of night time) and has a vocabulary for days with superb articulation and well-structured sentences. She amazes her teachers on a daily basis and wows us by the hour! Miss L loves books, puzzles, Little Einsteins, Tangled, Doc McStuffins and Frozen...along with crafts, coloring, play-doh and playing with her dolls and stuffed animals (which she was ample supply of, respectively!).

Despite SPF 50+ all summer, she has bronze skin to complement her sun-kissed very blonde hair.

For her birthday, her main request was to go on a gondola ride (in the mountains). This was to replicate her experience last fall on the gondola in Vail. So...off to the mountains we went!

The snow "field"

Lake Dillon - this scenery never gets old! 

Platelet Update

Just a couple of days shy of 31 weeks along! I feel like we're in the homestretch. 

The pumpkin moves quite a bit, in comparison to her older sister's womb-days. The uncomfortable times while sitting on a couch or trying to sleep are becoming a daily occurrence. :( 

Platelet Update: 

2/10/14 - first pregnancy blood work panel : 167 (normal but low-normal)

5/19/14 - 109

6/20/14 - 112 (yay! stabilizing!)

7/23/14 - 103 (eek!)

I do have a hematologist appointment in a week or two - which will be the examining arm for moving forward with steroids or other options, in conjunction with my OB. 

Weight gain thus far: 30 pounds...which would put me on track for 40 pounds. :( I gained about 30-35 last time with heavy dosage of prednisone at the end. So, I'm kind of bummed about the weight gain this time around. I definitely have a much more intense sweet tooth during this pregnancy and working at a "restaurant" (so-to-speak) definitely doesn't help the cause. There are always extra food and desserts lingering in the kitchen...which everyone likes to feed a pregnant lady!

I don't really have any photos to post of the bump. Maybe next time!

 

Fun in Florida!

Us girls had the pleasure of tagging along to daddy's work trip to Boca Raton, Florida in early June. It would be the last little "hurrah" before the pumpkin arrives in the fall and a fun getaway - which I am always ready for! As anticipated, we had very little time with daddy - an occasional breakfast, random hour before dinner and a couple of late-night hellos. We still managed to have dinner with some Hertz wives on two occasions and a pool day with one of our friends. 

Dancing at the mall - family date night! 

Such a tough life! 

Yes, we like Pina Coladas!! 

Mommy & Me at Kona Grill

Found a carousel at the park!

She loves the sun, like her momma

"Terrible View from the tower of the beautiful Waldorf Astoria resort," said no one ever! 

We didn't want to leave vacation land, but was sooo happy to arrive back in humidity-free CO! Forgot what "sticky summer weather" was like! haha!

A fairy tale wedding

We all have read about Cinderella and her Prince Charming countless times, but how often do we have the honor of witnessing a fairy tale unfold, in-person? Not very...despite our own "happily ever after," it is very special to watch (from the outside) love grow and bloom between two people you love dearly...and that love each other deeply. 

This was part of the myriad of emotions I experienced during a fabulous and fun wedding weekend in honor of my dear friend and brother and his Cinderella. God blessed us with amazing weather (mid 70's and sunny with blue skies) the entire weekend! 

Here is a snapshot of the fun: 

The cabin my aunt discovered was a 5 bed, superbly decorated and carefully hand-crafted stunner of a home located 170' above the shoreline of Lake Michigan with panoramic views of Lake Leleenau on the opposite side.

It truly was a gorgeous setting for our family to host the rehearsal luncheon. Most guests attending the luncheon toured the cabin and exclaimed how they didn't know how the wedding was going to top this party. 

The patio seemed as if it was made for this party with the perfect area for tables around both sides of the home;
and views of both lakes! 

The groomsman had fun hitting golf balls into Lake Michigan

The party started around noon and lasted well past sunset over Lake Michigan
No one wanted the day to end, but was excited about the festivities to follow!

Pre-ceremony - getting ready with the girls in the Bridal Suite

This picture just melts my heart! Miss L is loved by so many!

Being a flower girl: nailed it and made the crowd laugh with her cuteness! 

I'm having trouble selecting just a few photos, as well as inserting them on here. :) I am disappointed to say that we failed to get a single, professional photo of our family of 3...or technically, 4. The day just flies by and Miss L was a busy bee.

This beautiful wedding was one for the record books - a bit shabby-chic, a bit northern Michigan and plenty of details dreamed of by the bride and executed by the team, she calls family and friends. It was perfectly intimate with around 120 guests - all there to experience the magic and blessings of the weekend. 

Miss L danced the night away - just as she had been planning in the weeks (er, months!) prior!
She likely danced every song until the very end!

This amazing weekend would not have been possible without the fab 4!

Cheers to a lifetime of health and happiness! xoxo

Happy New Year!

Well...it is a happy new year! 2014 is flying by faster than ever, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as the new year has blessed us with a baby on-board....and we are ready to meet this bundle of joy in the fall of 2014. I think Miss L is most excited to meet the little pumpkin. She is constantly kissing my growing belly, taking ultra sound photos and putting them up my shirt to show the baby - "here is a picture of you, can you see yourself?" Other items make their way up my shirt like toys and baby diapers...and sometimes clothes!

The first quarter of the year, or first trimester of my pregnancy was busy, exhausting and roller coaster of fun!

We managed to ring in the New Year in a very traditional manner that we frequently do the year we enter a new neighborhood - a nearby house party, a few too many drinks and plenty of embarrassing dance moves with our new neighbors, as we jammed out to Mumford & Sons in their basement! In my opinion...nothing bonds you better! :)

We managed to ski a few times on the fresh powder in the mountains - a vast difference from the slushy-ice skiing we learned on - on the hills in Michigan. We even purchased skis for Miss L and launched her love with a fabulous first day on the mountain! It truly is a way of life here with many munchkins hitting the runs at about 18 months.

Winter Park Resort

The best surprise of the season was Denver winters. I have coined the term, "winter when you want it" as the best way to describe winter in Denver. If you want snow...get in your car and drive 1.5-2 hours. If you want to hike in the 60 degrees & sunshine...stay in Denver! One one occasion - we did both in the same day, while my sister L was in town visiting us! Basically, we barely had to use our full winter coats and I never once witnessed "dirty snow" - the kind that gets all brown/black and ugly on the side of the roads back in Michigan after it has out-stayed its welcome.

The second quarter and now second trimester is equally flying by with (semi-organized) chaos at work, the healing of a "bruise" type thingy on my insides (medical term: subchorionic hemorrhage - sp?) - yay!!, the return of some energy, the return of my ability to drink coffee (note: all 3 of us had stomach flu in January :( - ruined coffee for a while for me)...and the anticipating and excitement for my brother's upcoming wedding!!

Bridal Shower back in March - the entire gang was all there!

Miss L is growing like a weed - she is such a beautiful little girl, with perfectly placed pearly whites, an adorable little voice with superb articulation...and strong attention-to-detail and observation skills beyond her age. At 33 months, she weighs 30# 7oz and is about 37" tall (note: just tall enough for the IKEA playroom!). Her teachers continue to be surprised with her knowledge and vocabulary; and potty training is (finally) getting somewhere.

Post-haircut photo (3rd haircut) on 4.28.14

 

Hoppy Easter - 4.20.14

The Next Chapter...

One of the most precious moments that may be etched in my head {and heart} for ever, happened yesterday evening. J arrived home from picking up Miss L from her first day at preschool...I heard the garage service door open, followed by tiny little footsteps that burst into the home to our kitchen and a little blonde beauty ran into my arms while saying, "Mommy, mommy....how was your first day?" My heart melted...

The day began with a few tears...but quickly was filled with exhilaration and joy...as I started my new job yesterday and our family began a new chapter of preschool, dual-careers, strong calendar management and an even busier household!

J helped me get Miss L up and off to preschool for the first time. She was so cute preparing to go to "school!" I even bought her a new outfit for her first day to make it extra special. And we are in love with her new school and impressed with The Goddard School corporation.

Within hours of arriving to my new office, I was texting J the message, "I love my job!" Hours later when the family gathered back at the homestead, we tag-teamed dinner and while we sipped our respective "celebration cocktails" {or "tot-tails" as a little person calls them!}, I received my new daily email from her school with specific details about her day {toilet-training, food, the yoga-pose of the day, etc. - including photos of little girl!}...it was the final piece of a beautiful puzzle. We read through it together, laughing and excited to see what this next chapter will hold for us.

I discovered during the intense interview process {phone call, in-person interview, 1-hour sales test and two skype interviews with senior management later} - how much I enjoy working...just how passionate I am about this industry, the depth of my knowledge and to be honest...how much I rock at my job. I have been so fortunate to land great positions over the course of our many moves...and this position is no different.

I enjoy spending time with my baby girl, I like being a SAHM, but I don't think I necessarily "loved" it...and watching Miss L thrive in a social and academically-challenged setting is as equally as rewarding as my growing and promising career. I am thanking my lucky stars right now...feeling blessed.

First Day of Preschool 12/3/2013

Hello!

Nearly 60 days have passed since I last posted. I feel like I have been slow to post b/c I changed phones and thus, a lot of my photos are on my old card....AND I cannot figure out how to upload my new phone's photos to Picassa...which is where I used to load them for our blog. I need to work on this, but a lot has happened in 60 days -

• Miss L and I flew to Michigan for a family wedding, visits with friends all around town and a mommy planned a weekend away with high school girlfriends. We were fortunate to have beautiful fall weather while in Michigan and a plethora of fun with friends and family!
• We flew back with Auntie Jen or shall I say, Auntie Jen flew back with us, which was a nice reprieve from the usual mommy-toddler flying trips! While Jen was in town - we hiked, we shopped, and we even took a day trip to Breck {Breckenridge} and saw the Continental Divide! We miss her dearly!
• Next up, was a week to Cabo San Lucas as a family, filled with lots of R&R, and fun-in-the-sun where this little girl quickly turned into a bronzed beauty. We all made family friends with 2-year old Henry and his parents...as they are local to Colorado! {Fast forward 3 weeks and we met up with Henry + mom Kelly at the Trick or Treat Street at the Children's Museum!}
• Trick or Treating - Miss L REALLY got into this year {more than we thought she would!} and loved saying all of the common phrases and follow it with "next house" and running through the tulle of her "sweet scarecrow" costume {made by her Grandma L} throughout our new neighborhood. Our house ran out of candy...which is a lesson learned for next year!
• We welcomed November with open hearts as we enjoyed lots of warm, sunny days for playing at our nearby neighborhood park and fun outdoors! I say Colorado is the new sunshine state...move over Florida! It is seriously, blue skies and sunshine nearly every.single.day; underscoring my statement that I could never live in the Pacific Northwest!
• We hosted our Housewarming Party - which deserves a post on its own!
• Brother and his beautiful fiancé spent a short and sweet weekend with us to celebrate Brother's birthday!! We hiked, we partied and my liver was certainly aching by the end of the weekend...but it was fun and always sad to see them go! 
• Currently, I'm in the midst of an intense {lengthy} job interview process that I really wanted... but am a bit mentally exhausted after jumping through so many hoops!
  
  That brings you up to speed! I will try not to let 60 days pass before I post again!  

A snap of most of my siblings, while in MI

Visiting Breck

Auntie Jen, by our fire

Beautiful faces, Beautiful spaces!

Hola from Cabo San Lucas!

23 Items to pack before the packers arrive! {Moving Tips}

After having moved 5 times in the past 7 years...I'd say to most people, we are considered subject matter experts. This move was not without the first time {learning} experience of "moving with children," but that is a entirely different post. :)

It never fails the packers and movers arrive at previous destination, pack up everything {thank you company-paid relo} and then you arrive at your new house quickly looking for key items.

I have assembled a down-and-dirty list of must-have items to pack...before you finish start packing {or having the packers pack everything}. Assemble a box/bag/suitcase with a few essentials necessary at the new house, prior to opening a single box:


• Basics - overnight clothes, extra set of clothes {especially on a hot, summer moving day}, toiletries and shower items
• New House "Stuff" - pack a roll of paper towels, a few rolls of toilet paper, a multi-surface cleaner, sponge, hand soap, dish detergent, pledge wipes {for the furniture that is a bit dusty from the move} and a dustpan & broom.
  
  Even if the previous home owners leave the new place spotless, accidents happen and you may want to clean a few things {i.e. glass shelves in a cabinet, etc.}.
• Post-it Notes - arriving in your new kitchen will be exciting and daunting at the same time. Bring post-its and a pen to write out what needs to go where...and quickly re-arrange prior to loading the cabinets and drawers with items.
• Towels  -  you will want need to take a shower the first night in your new home, yet finding the box marked "towels" might be an hour-long pursuit...so pack a beach towel, a spare towel, or something to dry off with! And the same goes for a kitchen towel and a hand towel for the bathrooms.
  
  Prior to closing on our new home, I found a lovely dish towel at World Market to quickly make my kitchen feel a bit more like home.
• Food & Drinks - aside from running out for a sandwich or something - pack a few things for your new refrigerator such as energy drinks, sports drinks, bottled water, etc. to stay hydrated; and maybe some grab-and-go items such as granola bars, nuts and & fresh fruit!
  
  {My favorite pick-me-up is Starbucks Refreshers...in the grocery aisle near sports drinks or the alcohol - Pomegranate Raspberry is delicious!}
• Disposable plates, plasticware and cups - Again, the box with "cups" could be lower on the priority list of boxes to open, when you really just need a glass of water!

We were fortunate to have amazing realtors here in Colorado and they gifted us a big basket full of wine {including glasses, opener, etc.}, cheese, crackers and other house warming gifts. You bet your bottom dollar I opened a bottle on night one! 

Considering all of these items to pack yourself or to pack 'on the side' - perhaps it will take your largest suitcase or a big box to house all of these goodies...as you prepare to move into your new home!

Operation: Save Mommy's Sanity

It has been just over 3 weeks since moving to our new home. Most of the brown boxes have been explored; however, some areas just feel a little unfinished or "half-down"...particularly our "Toyfice" - yep, we have a Toy Room/Office.

The lack of a completion of the Toy Room has caused Miss L to find trouble in every nook and cranny throughout our house. On Wednesday, I thought I might need to begin "day drinking" to survive the day; instead, I brewed a second up of coffee! I actually went out shopping {in the pouring rain} both Wednesday and Thursday nights once daddy came home, just to enjoy a much-needed break!

It quickly became clear that the 70lb box sitting in the Toyfice containing a beautiful, dream play kitchen for our toddler needed to be assembled. I think I may have left for Target and gave this specific directive and labeled it "Save Mommy's Sanity."

I came home an hour later to J surrounded by many parts and pieces out; as he quickly realized that "this is the 'real' deal" and should better hold up for years to come. 3.5 hours later {near midnight} and Miss L's dream kitchen was complete. As we moved it into the Toyfice, I felt like it was Christmas Eve. It was such a treat to see her face light-up the next morning when she first witnessed her new toy.

I have to send a HUGE thank you to my Aunt Shelley for suggesting said kitchen {she found it online - made by KidKraft}, for helping to pay for some of the kitchen with birthday money; as well as my Grandma Reilly and Aunt Cindi for birthday money that contributed to purchasing this beauty...or rather, for saving my sanity!

Miss L has been playing more and more in the Toyfice, and less in MY kitchen cabinets. To top things off, we have even hosted playdates, both yesterday and today, with our new neighborhood friends.

Below are some photos of our playdate today with Miss P. These girls have played together twice at the Pool and already have soo much fun together...