By Any Other Name would Smell as Sweet....

It's Monday, Listicle day!

This week, there were two options provided by Jessica over at Jessee's Spot.

Option 1:  Share your ten favorite photos on your phone.
Option 2:  Share ten names you considered for your child(ren).

Clearly, those that know me well know that Option 1 is utterly and completely out for me. I'm not a techie person. For years, my family joked my cell phone in 2009, could be a dead ringer for the one used by Zach Morris from Saved the Bell.

I don't have an Iphone.
Ipad
Kindle
or
Droid.

I only learned to text about 16 months ago...
at the insistence of my parents.

My wish list does not include any technology related items. It's not something that I have any interest.

On the contrary, I am a Name Nerd.

Certifiably obsessed with names, to the point I am regular on a message board devoted to this topic.

I like different, not made up names, and for some reason seem to gravitate to those of Irish/Gaelic roots. Lucky for me, Bryan likes most of what I like, and even suggested we use some Gaelic spellings. I convinced Bry that since we live in the States, using Méadhbh would only be problematic, and so he agreed to go with Maeve. I still do have a softspot for Aoife, Saoirse, & Mairead.  Click for pronunciation.

My love for names has always been strong. I remember coming up with elaborate names for my dolls. Prior to being engaged, Bry and I discussed future names for our kids, and imagine my surprise when I discovered sites like Nameberry, Behind the Name, and Nymbler where like minded name nerds can research and share  opinions.  

I love names, and so this second option is fabulous! 

Of course, I will not be sharing our potential names for the future member of our family, but I will however share my ten favorite guilty pleasures names in no particular order. Names I really love, but honestly could never use for various reasons. 

My Ten Guilty Pleasure Names

1. Summer

Having a last name that begins with the letter S, it really seems that any girls name which begins with the letter S does not pair well. In short, the girl sounds like a porn star or stripper. (Believe it or not I googled porn starts that begin with S and there are a lot!) Not the long term job prospect one hopes for their little pink bundle of joy. 

Summer Sanders does appear to be the exception. 

2. Gemma

I truly love this name. However, again a certain adult industry has taken it as it's own. 

Damn you!

3. Seamus

This boy's name, phonetically spelled "Shay-Mus" looks too close to semen, or at least in the eyes of Bry, and thus it's voided from our name list. 

4. Clementine

Because I love my kid, I could never subject her to a lifetime of "Oh my darling, Oh my darling" choruses echoing her every move. I love it but alas will never use it. 

5. Maximus

Isn't this a cool name? It screams warrior! Gladiator! Solider! Power!

However, again paired with our very German last name it lends itself to feel kind of wrong, almost Nazi inspired. Thus, this name is forever banned from our list. 

6. Dashiell

Another boy's name that I believe sounds very smart, intellegent, and powerful. I think the nickname Dash is fun and cute, and based off my naming patterns, Dashiell fits pretty well. 

However, Bryan disagrees, and only can think of this: 

Source

7. Merida

Yup, the same name as the princess from Brave. 

I know. I know. I know. 

Source

Can't do it, but seriously, doesn't Moira, Maeve, & Merida flow pretty well together? 

8. Millie
I know it's not that different of a name, but I am a fan of formal first names with the option of a nicknames. It falls into the "M" girl name, and even Mo has suggested Millie as a name in the event her future sibling is a little girl. The problem I have with Millie is for me, Millie sounds too cutesy. Some may chose to use it as a stand alone first name, but for me it doesn't work.  I have searched. High and low, I have researched for an acceptable (to me) formal first name where Millie could be used for a nickname, and I've found nothing I like.
Mildred - nope
Millicent - no way
Amelia - too popular
Camille - too stuffy
Camilla - not really my style
Emily - way too popular

9. Fiona
Bry and I are bigger people.
There's potential for our children to follow in our footsteps and be in the taller, athletic (or chubby) category.
Let's be honest here, some kids can be cruel. Based on genetics alone, should we risk it?
Do we really need to set up a daughter with the potential for this comparison?

I think not. 

So Fiona, while lovely, has been cast off to my Guilty Pleasure list. 

10. Grace

Once upon a time, I loved the simplicity of this name. It was lovely, had classic ties, and a beautiful meaning. 

And then I started teaching. 

This name is forever banished to the guilty pleasure list because I know I cannot ever forget my association to this name and the little spitfire attached. 

For the record: Christopher, Nicholas, & Ryan have been set off to similar fates. Maeve, however, got her name after a rather positive association with a Maeve my final year of teaching. I still refer to that student as "The original Maeve". 

I know I am not alone here. Calling all you other name nerds!

What are you guilty pleasure names? 

Are there names that have been ruined for you? 

Feel free to share!

Thrice Blessed

I have mentioned that this pregnancy I feel like  all my time is consumed with Moira & Maeve. Their respective busy lives have left me little time to dote on this future member of the family. The guilt comes in waves, often replacing the thought "Oh shit, we're having another baby!" with the "I need to get the Christmas shopping done and wrapped as soon as possible" between play dates, preschool drop off, and story hour at the library.

My mind is all over the place, and I needed something to help. 

Leave it to my good friend Ashley and my sister Jeanna to reel me in and focus for an afternoon!

Three Saturdays ago, they surprised me with a Sprinkle.

Not quite the full on, over the top affair that usually goes with one's baby shower. Instead, a few of my closest friends and family members met at our house and surprised me as I returned from a shopping trip to IKEA. Some delicious food, yummy cake, and good conversation followed.

Baby's First Christmas outfit

The kiddos 

Chocolate chip & Blueberry Velvet cakes

Rudolph hat for newborn photo

The best compliment I received later from a friend was that this shower was the best, mainly because there were no silly games, a few guests of which we all got along, little drama, and really really good food!


I do believe though, however there were a few guests who left with this on the brain. 

Photography courtesy of Ashley Pierce Photography

Cravings

As with most pregnancies, one often has cravings.

Courtesy 

This kid just might turn out green, as Avocados have been a staple in my daily diet since week 6. Smashed, cubed, with carrots or sweet potato chips, or yummy in quesadillas, I have not been able to get enough!

As luck would have it, I recently was introduced to the wonderful website called "House Party", and imagine my excitement when searching the various party themes to discover one sponsored by "Avocados from Mexico"!

Eagerly, I submitted my application and to my surprise, I was selected as a party hostess.

Initially, my plan was to host a play date with a number of my friends and their children, where Avocados were the central theme. Unfortunately, between the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, another Nor'easter, and some residual effects from my Sprinkle. (To be blogged about soon!), I postponed the play date.

Rescheduled for this week, unfortunately the number of guests was smaller, however, it left more avocado for me! The four adults and combined 7 children (plus two on the way) enjoyed two kinds of gucamole, avocado, tomato & black bean salad, and delicious mini sandwiches of turkey, bacon, & avocado mayo. I will admit, it was one of the tastiest playdates around!

It was a hit, as the young and older alike had their fill of tasty Avocados, and I won't lie, baby #3 enjoyed every single bit, while hanging out in utero.

Recipe inspired by Bryan
2 avocados, 1 half red onion minced, juice of one half of lime, 1 T cumin, salt & pepper to taste

Recipe Inspiration

Check out my Pinterest Inspiration Board,  HERE because Avocados Truly are Amazing!

This post was in response to my House Party sponsered by Avocados from Mexico. While I received compensation for the purchase of avocados, all opinions, images, and responses are my own. 

Learning Curve

I'm here.
Still big as a turkey on Thanksgiving, eagerly anticipating the birth of this next kiddo in under five weeks!

I've been a bit preoccupied, attempting to get my Christmas shopping done, purchasing those things I need for baby, and trying to catch up on my sleep now. Not easy in my current state of hugeness, nor as Mo and now Maeve too, fight me to nap.

With that, I must admit, I must offer thanks to PBS, Sprout, Nick JR, and Disney Junior. Those 26 minutes of uninterrupted sleep I can get while Mo hangs out in bed next to me are bliss.

It's Listicle time! I'm getting back on that train just in time for this week's list suggested by Kerstin over at Auer Life, We're instructed to come up with Ten Things we've learned thus far in 2012. Stasha, our maven de Listicles has become quite the runner girl and her list reflects just that! I will admit, running is something in my head I imagined to be the perfect exercise, but in actuality, every single time I have tried, I have despised it.

As I'm on the cusp of motherhood yet again, I feel that my list should reflect just that.

Ten Things I have Learned about Motherhood in 2012

1. Before I had children, I knew everything. 

Now that I'm a mom twice, nearly thrice over, I realize I hardly know anything. 

2. For a while, I thought I needed to take Moira to a child psychologist, and then in speaking to other parents of four year olds I realized displaying characteristics of multiple personality disorder is the norm. 

3. Potty training is hell, especially poop training. 

4. Anyone that says nap time is overrated, sucks plain and simple and is probably not sleep deprived. 

5. Hearing your child repeat verbatim, "Fuck" in appropriate context does bring an usual amount of pride mixed with horror. It also brings about the realization that she learned it from you and helps curb the cursing habit. 

6. Television is not the devil. 

Caillou just might be. 

7. Never underestimate the power of a bribe. 

8. Sisterhood is amazing!

It reminds me of my own childhood fondly, and makes me grateful that the girls have each other. 

9. It's okay to ask for help,

 to admit defeat, 

to hide in the kitchen or bathroom, 

to need to step away from the chaos, 

or to have days where bedtime cannot come soon enough. 

I will say it's a whole helluva lot easier to deal though when there's the option of drowning one's sorrow in wine, beer, or liquor. Ben & Jerry's doesn't quite offer the same amount of kick.  

10. Having a good partner makes this whole ride that much more enjoyable. 

On that note, thanks Bry for everything and always being able to make me laugh. 

What have you learned this year? 

Link up with Stasha and her Monday Listicles

Guilty

When I was pregnant with Moira, I think one could have described me as obsessed. Between the message boards, the baby books, and weekly email reminders, I was absorbed in every little happening, and relaying the information to anyone who would listen.

I was wrapped up in the joy of pregnancy. From the stretch marks to kick counts, and everything in between, that first pregnancy was a most memorable experience.

After discovering I was pregnant, my good friend Sami had a small gift for me. She introduced me to the wonderful world known as the Baby Bargains Book.

Unfamiliar with this book and respective website?
Basically, every item, brand, and style on the market for any or all product related to baby is reviewed both with letter grade and synopsis, and then compiled into book form. Unlike Consumer Reports which offers it's assessments on it's own testing, Baby Bargains relies on input from real people, in addition to outside sources.

Bry became a man neurotic about the registry, scouring the book, updating and changing our online registry for Babies R Us, based on new information he discovered at all hours of the day and night.  I would sneak a peak, wanting to see if things were being purchased and I'd discover items added or missing or changed.

During my pregnancy with Maeve, I felt like I had a nice balance between expectant mama and little more experienced mom. Moira was just under two when I had Maeve, so the entire baby process was still fresh in my mind. She still regularly napped leaving me time to relish being pregnant. I posted on two under two message boards. I worried about the balance of having two so close in age, and obsessed from the buying standpoint over finding the perfect double stroller*.
*I did. The Bumbleride Indie Twin in seagrass green and aqua. 

While I was consumed most of the time with Moira, I still found time to enjoy that pregnancy.

And now here I am, thirty three weeks pregnant with kid #3, and I'm guilty.

Between school, play dates, potty training, holidays, and the like, I have no time.

Already this kid is ignored.

I made a weak attempt at a registry, in between making dinner and officiating a living room brawl over a ukulele. I go to my OB appointments, eagerly waiting to hear the cadence of his or her heartbeat, while dishing out goldfish crackers, fruit bars, and insisting the stirrups and flexible light are not drums and a microphone. I sit hoping to savor the moment he or she moves around my belly, and then must readjust as the two and half year old asks, "Hold me Mama" and takes up the little room I have left in my lap.

I feel guilty because I haven't been consumed with pregnancy.

Apparently this week the kid is the size of a durian.

Courtesy of the Bump

A durian? 

Had to read up on that one, and my brother in law in Taiwan explained, via Facebook, that this funky fruit is popular in Asia and can be compared to creamy smelly cheese in flavor and consistency. 

So kid #3 is about the size of this smelly ass fruit, and I had no idea.

He or she is also doing the following in utero, or at least, this is what the professionals are saying:

your baby at 33 weeks

• He's keeping his eyes open while awake.
• He's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
• His bones are hardening.
• And he going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby

Facts courtesy of the Bump. 

Good to know that he or she is almost ready to join us. Maybe I should get a little more prepared? 

Perhaps buy some diapers, pull out the infant car seat, and do some loads of laundry? Maybe I should pack the bag for the hospital? Get a going home outfit. Figure out how to get to the maternity section of the hospital. Things that are kind of important in the scope of birthing a baby. 

Does this make me a bad mom? 

Well, I believe the answer is no, and yes. 

I'm a good mom. 

I honestly believe that. I am a good mom to the two children residing outside of my body. This pregnancy has not kept us from having a life outside our home. We still head out almost daily to places like the zoo, Sesame Place, and trips to the park. My girls lives have not stopped because mommy's put on a few pounds. I move a bit slower, and can't hold them as much, but we're still out and about.  

I will confess, however, that I'm not too sure how I'm measuring up as a mama to be for this new kid? 

Once he or she is here, I know that things will be different. Our lives as we know them will change, and hopefully for the better as this new little one comes. 

However, for now, I'm going to try and find a bit of a balance. This will be our last baby, and so this is my last time being pregnant. Even with the indigestion, frequent trips to the bathroom, and stretchmarks, I will be doing my best to savor it, whenever I have time to that is. 

Family photo from Boo at the Zoo

The After

It's October 31, Halloween.

The costumes are ready.
The candy has barely been touched.

However this year, our neighborhood will remain quiet.

Halloween has been postponed until Monday, November 5.

I live in New Jersey.

Add this to the list of things Hurricane Sandy has stolen.

Poverty Beach, Cape May NJ
Courtesy of Exit Zero

We are a state that has it all: gorgeous shoreline, cute suburbs, access to major cities, farms filled with fresh produce,  and one of the most diverse populations.

While many across the U.S. may joke of us, I honestly believe it's out of ignorance.

My New Jersey is a great state.
It boasts colorful scenery.
It's people are smart, dynamic, and strong.
We work hard.
We play hard.
We care.

Our beaches are beloved.

Treasures, I dare say, that many outsiders flock during the summer months. Sand and surf, warm sun on one's shoulders.  There is a place for everyone along our shoreline- couples, families, singles, gay, straight, old, young.

We have a beach for you.

At least, we did before Sandy.

In my little suburban town, we have been very lucky. A good hour from the shoreline, we weren't hit nearly as bad as anticipated. Our street went unscathed. With the exception of a few flickers, power never was lost. No trees or branches down. There were no major catastrophes. My friend eight blocks away still waits for the two trees and wires which have taken residence in the middle of her street to be removed so her power can be restored, but she is seems to be the exception.

School is back in session.
Mail has been delivered.
I just watched as public works tossed large sticks, branches, and other debris from our neighbor's yard into their truck for removal.
Life is attempting to go back to normal,
but how can we?

Not when we can't help but survey the damage that has occurred to these places we love.

Entire communities have been destroyed.

Boardwalks completely swept away.
Sand and water overtaking house after house.
Flooding forcing evacuation.

The storm is over, but it's aftermath is here.

It's real.

South Inlet section of Atlantic City, NJ
Edward Lea, Press of Atlantic City

Halloween is postponed for us this year as many in my State wait.

The Pier at Seaside Heights NJ
Fox 5

Not for trick or treaters or candy, but for the return of power. They wait for permission to return to their houses to survey their homes. They wait for insurance company calls, and promises of money to rebuild.
They wait for the hum of the refrigerator, the flicker of lights, the buzz of the television.

They wait for life to go on as usual, but have no time line as to how this can or will happen.

This Halloween will be like no other, as we in New Jersey recover from hurricane Sandy.

Wondering what you can do to help? 

Donate money here

Do you need assistance? 

FEMA Disaster Aid Registration

Mamaing

It's bedtime yesterday evening. As I follow Moira into her bedroom, thoughts of Halloween enter my mind. With our first costume necessary event this Friday, I mentally prepare my "to do list" in those few footsteps from her door to her bed. As she cuddles underneath her blanket pulling her stuffed Build a Bear closer, my mind wanders to Maeve's costume.

Recently obsessed with all things purple, twirly, and girlie, it really should have been no surprise that she would want to dress as Rapunzel. After scouring the web for the best deal, I remembered Target. Not the Halloween section, but rather the Princess aisle. Unlike the $39.99 version of Rapunzel with extra puffy sleeves and wig, I scored the $20 dress made for dressing up. It's a little less fussy than it's more expensive counterpart, but for a two and half year old, it's practically perfect.

A little over six months ago, on her own intitative, Maeve asked for big girl panties and started with little fanfare or effort peeing on the toilet. It was quite a different experience than her older sister who's rebellion toward all things toileting took us to the week after her third birthday when the threat of "no preschool or soccer" finally motivating Moira to give up diapers permanently. Maeve starting using the potty and waking dry from naps and bedtime in what seemed like overnight.

However, things aren't that simple.

We are in poo hell here.

Pear juice.
Fiber gummy bites.
Purchases of children laxatives.

All in an effort to get her to go.

Screw the panties. We just want her to go, as we encountered a nearly five day span where she held it. That was not fun for any of us.

What to do? What to do?

Like any good parent out there,
we tried praise.
We tried stickers,
candy,
and little toys.

Mo has done her own version of a song and dance in a failed attempt to encourage her little sister.
"Don't you want to be a big kid like me?" she asks.

Maeve deadpans, "Nope. I little kid."

I'll admit it, we're at the bribery stage now.
What can we do to get this kid to use the toilet?

A-ha! Halloween!
With the purchase of the Rapunzel costume: Motivation!

Bry and I thought we had this parenting problem tackled. We'll get the dress. Tell her she can't wear it and go trick or treating unless she starts going on the potty and all our problems solved.

In theory, this is a great plan.

Reality, I'm dealing with a two and half year old.
All bets are off.

Holding that lovely purple dress, dancing it in front of Maeve's face, I begin, "If you want to be Rapunzel for Halloween you need to poop on the potty. Okay babes?"

"Nope. I no like Rapunzel. I be bad guy now and I poop in my diapy".

"You don't want to be Rapunzel? You don't want to wear this beautiful dress? This purple twirly dress that is so lovely?" I plead.

"No. I no poop in potty. I little kid." she insists.

Obviously, not the result I intend.

Alas, the dress disappears for a bit, out of sight in the purple room- a.k.a. our guest/dumping room.

This happened at the beginning of the month, and so over the past few weeks, I have on occasion, taken the dress out, paraded it in front of Maeve only to encounter the same response.

"I no poop on the potty. I no be Rapunzel. I little."

This takes us to last night, in Moira's room.

We are currently clearing out that Purple room to transform it into Maeve's big girl room. There have been various bags of trash, clothes, and miscellaneous items hidden in white garbage bags. Taken to the curb, consignment and family members.

For a brief moment last night, the thought I mistakenly placed that Rapunzel costume in a rogue bag entered my mind.

"Mo, I need to go check something out" I said, leaving her in her bed as I checked the nearly empty purple room for the Rapunzel dress. Opening the closet, I find the various toys I have hidden, a few extra blankets, and the blow up mattress, but no dress.

Returning to Mo's room, I open her closet, hoping the dress is hanging.

It is not.

"Whatcha looking for Mama?" she asks.

"I can't find Maevie's Rapunzel costume." I mutter between sorting through various clothing. "I haven't seen it anywhere."

"I know where it is." she says calmly.

"Uh? What did you say?"

Climbing out of her bed, she takes the few steps across her room to the dresser. A small space remains between the wall and the side of the dresser, where some stray frames needing to be hung reside. Reaching over the framed pieces, she pulls out the purple, twirly dress.

"Here it is." she says. "I hid it from Maevie. She not want to poop on the potty, so she not get Rapunzel dress."

Looks like someone has taken on the role of mother in this moment.

Thanking her for looking out for her little sister, I remind her that it's my job as mommy to take things away from Maeve when needed. I explain that while I'll need some help with this new baby, I'm still the one in the charge.

I think she gets it.
I hope she gets it.

Giving her a huge hug, her big blue eyes look up to me and she says, "You know Mama, I poop on the potty, 'cause I a big kid. I get to be Jessie for Halloween and you don't have to take away my costume, right? Because I listen and do what's right? Right?"

"I know, Mo." I respond. "I know you're my big kid". I give her one more big hug, and stick her favorite teddy bear under her arm. "I know."

The dress has been found. Halloween is just over a week away and our path to pooping on the potty has not changed. I guess Maeve's stubborn nature is stronger than my resolve, as I can't help but let her dress as her beloved Rapunzel for Halloween.

But at least, I know that if I need an enforcer, there's always Moira!