Going along for the ride

Man, where has time gone??

In ramping up for baby 3.0, we've kept our gear-buying to a minimum. So far, we haven't gone as crazy buying stuff as we did with Jordan, for obvious reasons (we already have a lot of gear from baby 2.0). But yesterday, we made by far the largest investment of this baby's life. Well, college funds aside.

We bought a new car.

We traded in my much loved (and much hated) Audi for an Acura MDX. I didn't originally intend on getting such a large car. In fact, I was leaning more toward the RDX, which is a smaller, sporty SUV, similar to the Rav 4. The RDX test drive proved to be fun, fast and very much sporty. And very much bouncy. While I was cruising at Mach 5 through some windy curves, something clicked. I realized it was time to grow up. I can't have two kids bouncing around in the back seat of a glorified sports car on higher wheels. The RDX really wasn't that much different from my sporty little Audi.

So I test drove the MDX. And fell in love. It's everything we need. It's spacious, it's a smooth ride, and it's luxurious enough inside that it doesn't feel like a utilitarian vehicle. And it has an optional third row seat. Yes, I'm driving a car with a third row seat. Does that make me a soccer mom?

Perhaps. But at least I'll be able to fit everyone in the car.

Hairy situation

What is it about impending motherhood that makes you want to chop all your hair off? Recently, I've been contemplating cutting my hair into a bob. Much like Heidi's here.

And I started to think why-- was it because I don't have time to do my hair? Is it because with two kids, the chances of me flat ironing my hair every morning will go by the wayside? Or is it my way of asserting control over one part of my body?

Whatever the reason, I guess I need a change. If it's not the hair, it's the car. And if it's not the car, it's the house. It seems I'm looking for change all around.

In the meantime, I'll sleep on this new hairstyle idea a little more. At least that's one radical change that will eventually grow out.

Baby is 10 weeks old

Today marks baby's 10th week of creation. I had another ultrasound today and the doctor says everything looks good. The baby's growth is on track and it's little heart is beating strong.

As she did the ultrasound, baby started moving around. That's when it finally felt real to me. This little being inside of me is actually responding. And man did he/she move around. I even teared up a little.

Next baby doc appointment is set for March 1.

I *heart* heart docs

I had my cardiologist appointment Monday, appropriately enough, on Valentine's Day. And apparently, she heard something because she made me wear a heart monitor all day yesterday.

That was unexpected. The appointment started off ok. She speculated that I might have a mitral valve prolapse, which is apparently really common in women. Or it could be because of my thyroid condition. To be on the safe side, she suggested I get hooked up to a portable heart monitor.

She must've noticed the look of horror on my face.

"Is it really bulky?" I asked. Because at this point, it's 2 pm and I would have to go back to work.

"Nah, it's not that bad."

Riiiight. I looked like a modern-day Frankenmom, with wires darting all across my chest and a box the size of a Sony Walkman. Sure, it'd be cool if it were 1988.

And the worst part? I wouldn't be able to do any "strenuous activity" for the 24 hours. On Valentine's Day. You do the math.

Fortunately, the contraption is off and my next appointment is set for two weeks, at which point I'll have an echogram of my heart, or an ultrasound of my heart.

Symptoms this week: Surprisingly few. The nausea is gone for the most part, but I do feel like I've been hit by a truck. Usually around 4-5 pm is when I start to crash.

And now, introducting....lima bean!

Here ya go. The first shot of our little lima bean.

The doctor gave us an in-depth rundown of how we can expect this pregnancy to go. To summarize -- there will be doctors. And more doctors. And when you think they're gone? More doctors.

I'm scheduled for my next appointment in two weeks, and in the interim, I'll also be seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor, or a specialist in high-risk mommies and babies.

My doctor also recommended I go to a cardiologist, just to make sure the ticker is ok.

My next normal doc appointment is scheduled for two weeks from now. I'll be having lots of sonograms and visiting ALOT more often. I don't know how I plan on pulling this off during the first trimester.

After the 24th week, I'll be getting a sonogram every three weeks. Needless to say, my blood pressure will be closely monitored. She also mentioned the possibility of bedrest should my blood pressure rise. And if things really hit the fan, then I'll be transferred to the Texas Women's hospital/Children's Hospital downtown. If you're a fan of TLC's "The Little Couple," you'd know that's where she works as a neonatologist. But let's hope I won't need to have a celebrity encounter.

Other than that, baby is looking good!

First doctor's appointment!

Today is my first doctor's appointment! Funny how I get all gussied up like I'm going on a first date.

I'll let you guys know what she says. Update to come.

The REAL secrets of a semi-successful mom

As a working mom with a two-year-old, I find myself exhausted all the time.
I don’t know how I’m going to manage with two.

I miss the days when Jordan was a baby and everything seemed to come together so easily. I used to pride myself in my time management skills and how swiftly I managed all my child rearing activities. Give the baby a bath before work? No problem! Put him to bed at 7 pm? Cake. Change his diaper while I got ready? Easy-schmeezy.

Then, he turned 2. And it all went out the window.

You’ll never understand what it’s like until you have a very mobile, fiercely independent two-year-old on your hands. In the mornings, getting him dressed is like wrangling an alligator. I have to cajole and beg for him to brush his teeth so we can get out the door at a decent time. And getting him dressed is a gamble since he is now adamant about what he wants to wear every morning. Which means sending him to school in his pjs on some days.

I read this article on Babycenter.com about “Secrets of Successful Moms.” Interestingly enough, the common denominator was that many of these women stayed at home, either as SAHMs or as part of running their own companies from home. Not fair. Why don’t they include women who actually have to leave the house to get work done? Or how do women who work industrial or shift jobs do it? Or is it that they feel these women aren’t successful moms?

It frightens me. Leaving my career to stay home is not an option. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I’m at and I’m making no apologies for it. But I’d hate for my family to suffer. It’s the never-ending riddle for working moms, right?

Well, I’ve come up with a few “secrets” of my own. Nothing extensive, and probably nothing earth-shattering either, but if it helps, all the better. And this, of course, is subject to change, once baby #2 comes along.

Tip #1: Outsource. Whether it be the cleaning, the cooking or even the babysitting from time-to-time, find someone who can help you. I’m a huge fan of mommy-day-out programs. I think the kids get much needed interaction and you get much-needed rest. I personally have chosen to outsource the cleaning of our house. Ever since we hired a housekeeper, I’ve been a much happier person.

Tip #2: Pick your battles. So what if your kid goes to school in pjs? If he wants cereal for dinner, then so be it. It is extremely hard to control every minute of your kid’s day. That being said, that doesn’t mean give your kid free-reign. Set some non-negotiables, such as issues that deal with safety and hygiene.

Tip #3: Assign tasks to your husband. Make it clear who’s in charge of what. In my household, Jon’s in charge of the morning routine, and I’m in charge of the evening routine.

Tip #4: Put up a united front. Even at two, Jordan notices if one of us is the weak one. So we’ve made a conscious decision to be together on our discipline issues. Even if you don’t agree, don’t make it obvious in front of your kid.