Nearly Popped

It's not Monday.
Nor is it a listicle day.
Today's as I hit week 37 of pregnancy I am inspired.

Perhaps it's the kid the size of a winter melon growing in my womb that has brought forth this need to share?

What the hell is a winter melon and why is it in my uterus? 

However, regardless of the inspiration, these last few days a top ten list emerged:

9 Things that Currently Suck 

1. Santa doesn't take a holiday. 

Fact: December 25 is Christmas. 

The day isn't going to change just because I'm officially due the next day. Mama's had to get her shop and wrap on hella early this year to ensure that all this crap is done. Yes, in an ideal world Daddy could have done it all, but really is that fair? 

2. Daylight Savings BLOWS!

The past few days the weather has been lovely. The girls could have most definitely spent hours playing outside after nap time, however there was one major obstacle in this adventure. 

Darkness. 

What the hell? Why is it so dark so early? 

Instead, we're stuck in the house because it's too damn dark. 

3. Getting Dressed in the Morning

37 weeks pregnant + long torso = NO CLOTHES that FIT!

Inevitably, without fail, every day, the bottom of my belly hangs out, kind of like Chunk from Goonies. I guess I should just break out in the Truffle Shuffle, because things will be getting worse before it gets better, as I still have 2 weeks left until this kid comes. 

Thanks Bry for letting me raid your t-shirt collection for sleeping. 

4. My Body

Stretchmarks, swollen ankles, and indigestion - Oh my!

Throw in frequent trips to the bathroom and a daily dependence on Tums and that pretty much sums it up. 

My body is all kinds of messed up. 

5. DMV

Imagine this: One is 37 weeks pregnant when she realizes, "oh my! My license is due to expire the end of the month., the same month I will be having kid three. Crap, I need to get my 6 points together for identification and whoa!
Do I need to get a new photo?

I need to get a new photo? 

I NEED TO GET A NEW PHOTO!"
My bloated, 37 week pregnant face is now enshrined for the next 4 years on my driving license. 

Jokes on me!

6. Answers

No. I am not having twins. 

No. I'm not about to have the baby today. 

No. We don't know what we're having. 

No. We're not hoping for a boy this time around. 

No. My husband won't be upset if it's a girl. 

Yes. I'm sure I know my due date. 

Yes, you are an idiot. 

I also wonder how you even figured out how to reproduce with your significant other. 

If only I could respond to people this way. 

7.  Indigestion

Yes. 

I already wrote about my dependence on Tums, but indigestion is also killing me, 

or at least my dining options. 

I miss you everything bagels. 

I'm sorry I had to skip out on you, dear grilled onion soup. 

Mexican, Chinese, & spices in general -  Love you and hope to taste you soon. 

Oh grease! Oh flavorful food! Oh yummy food! 

I so miss you, and can't wait to taste you soon. 

8. Non Stress Tests

What a pain in the ass? They suck when the only real reason your doctor seems to give for you having to have them is, well, you've gotten fat! No high blood pressure. No advanced maternal age. No high or low amniotic fluid level. No protein in my urine. 

Just seems I got a little to chubby this time around, and so weekly trips to the NST straps I go. 

For the record: I've gained pretty much the same amount as I did with Maeve. 

9. Sleep

The first trimester kicked my ass. I couldn't get enough sleep, and thankfully Mo still napped. Now I've hit the third trimester wall. I sleep crappy at night. I can't get comfortable. I wake up repeatedly to pee and because i have to roll over as all the weight crushes my hip bones.  I need to nap during the day. One problem: Mo doesn't nap too much anymore. 

Thank you DVR, On Demand, Scooby Doo, and Electric Company for giving me 26 minutes of nap time. 

1 Thing That Really Doesn't 

I am so thankful for my friend D due on January 1 with her third child as well. 

Having a friend who is going through exactly the same thing during the same time has been a Godsend.

I can bitch. 

I can moan. 

I can complain and

 feel zero guilt because she's going through the same thing.
I do hope she does not get too skinny too fast after this next kid is born. I know it isn't a competition, but I can't have her looking too good too soon, while I look like a hot mess. 

So that's it, a bunch of the bad and a little of the good. Before the month ends they'll be another member of this family, Christmas will have come and gone, and we'll enter into another calendar year. Until then, I wait and rest and try to get things in order. 

Christmas Wishes

It's June.
Summer has officially started, yet in our house, recently winter has come to mind, or more specifically Christmas time.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

What a Trip!

Mama Kat's Prompt this week:
1.) Did you create a list of 22 things you’ve done in your life last week?
 Yes, Here it is.  
This week, choose one item from your list and elaborate! We want the story

20. had to rename our honeymoon to a babymoon after discovering myself pregnant three weeks before departure.

I sat back down into the chair. My eyes glanced across the table. Placing the glass to his mouth, his eyes met mine.
I mouthed, "Nope", as the conversation continued around.
His eyes widened.
I believe it may have been fear I saw in Bry's eyes at that moment.
"Another toast", Lynsay said.
My glass of wine raised back in the air, as we congratulated our most dear friend, Steve on his new position.
This celebratory dinner in honor of Steve happened to coincide with another first.
One that had been disclosed to Bryan only a few hours before.
It was still only a possibility, a perhaps, and maybe.

However, it was the very first evening I suspected I was pregnant.

Between appetizer and entree at our favorite Seafood restaurant, I had excused myself to the restroom anticipating a certain monthly arrival.
Already a day late, I was sure it would come.
It never did.

Visiting my mother in law the following day down the shore, I knew it would arrive on the beach. Of course, what could be more embarrassing then an incident in a bathing suit?
The day was spent basking in the sun, wading in the sea, and reading uninterrupted.

It never came.

We dined alone at a local bar, and taking it's absence as a sign, I ordered a soda.
No alcohol for me, as Bry shook his head in disbelief.

Could I really be pregnant?

Over a meal of cheesesteaks and fries, we developed a plan of action. In an attempt to avoid any family members, we would purchase two different pregnancy tests at the drug store down the shore. However, we would wait until we arrived home that evening to test.
It would only be a few hours and then we would know with certainty.

Arriving at our house, we abandoned our bags in the car and fled to our bedroom.
Having consumed a rather large iced tea during the hour and half ride home, my bladder easily performed its duty with the test.
Placing the plastic stick onto the counter, I walked into our bedroom.
Lying on the bed, his arms covered his eyes as he spoke.
"Do you think we can handle this?" he said. Lifting his arms off his face, looking straight into mine.
"I sure hope so," I began, "I mean, if we're pregnant".
I watched the minute pass, and then another, and then another.
Three minutes.
Exactly what the directions has instructed.
Walking into the bathroom, my stomach and heart jumped as I reached for the stick.

+

Tears began to fill my eyes, as I could hear the sobs over take my body.
Rising from the bed, he wrapped his arms around me.
"I thought this is what you wanted" he asked, kissing my head as he finished.
"It is". I said, "but what about our trip?"
Only three weeks from that day we were scheduled to spend seven days on the island of St. Barth's. The honeymoon we had spent nearly two years saving and planning for, was less then a month away.
Now, how would pregnancy throw a wrench into those plans?
"I guess you just won't drink" he said, laughing.

And that's the only thing I did miss.

Maeve's Debut- Part 2 (c-section)

Nurse Katie asks me if I can walk or want to be wheeled back to the Operating Room. Remember, at this point it's been close to five hours since I've been vertical and walking, so I opt for the wheel chair. She wheels me into the operating room and I hope up on the bed.
It's so different this time around. I guess because with Mo it was an emergency c-section, I wasn't there for all the prep and set-up. This time, I just kind of chilled out sitting on the side of the bed for 10 minutes or so while the nursing staff prepped tables, and scissors, and clamps and other stuff for the pending c-section. Finally, my anesthesiologist walked in and starting talking about the spinal which I would receive.
I confess, I don't remember too much of what he said, not because of the contractions, but because of his Australian accent.
Mo has recently been addicted to the Wiggles and so as soon as I heard his accent, a flood of Wiggles tunes flooded my brain. In my head I heard the "fruit salad song" and the "big red car" song, while he was explaining the benefits of a spinal.
Nice, right?
Not soon after that incident, the rest of the mob I mean operating staff entered and took their places around me. Looking back, its so strange, the whole scenario. One minute you're talking to the doctors, they're talking about their weekend plans, or the number of surgeries they have performed that day and then not too many minutes later they're cutting you almost in half, reaching in to pull out your baby, and then sewing you back together. Bry did make it into a gown this time.
Meanwhile Dr. Wiggle took this fabulous photo of me before baby Maeve entered the world. I'm surprised how okay I really look, all things considering!
I'll save you the vivid pictures of the actual nip and cut but not too soon after the initial cut, Maeve Kathleen entered this world.

8 lbs. 11 oz. at 10:08 pm


Maeve and her daddy
I begin to tear up as soon as they say "It's a girl". That is after they comment on the head of hair she has and listening to her scream.
Throughout this pregnancy, person after person who saw me or more importantly, saw my bump, swore up and down that "it" was a boy. This included various strangers at the grocery store check out, other moms and grandmas at music class, and a poll on my favorite message board.
When someone asked what I wanted gender wise, I honestly responded a healthy and happy baby. Of course, if "it" was a "he", I would love him and figure out how to change a boy, but if "it" was a "she", I would again love her, but she would already have a pretty fantastic wardrobe and more importantly provide Mo with a lifelong friend as a sister.
So when they said, "It's a girl!" I cried. I was and still am so very happy that Mo gets to have a sister. There is no guarantee that Maeve and Mo will be best friends, but I can only hope that they have a relationship that mirrors that of my own relationship with my sister. All those emotions flooded me with those three little words "It's a Girl!"
They stitched me up and this time around, the isolette was immediately to my right, so I was able to watch as they suctioned her, weighed her, and then wrapped her in the blankets. Last time, my view was obstructed by numerous support staff.
Heading back into the recovery area, Bry confessed that the "hero" from before who had bumped me back 2 hours was in the bed next to me recovering.
Give me a break! Luckily, she did not end up being my roommate. (We'll save that story for later!)
My sister Jeanna, snuck back and met Maeve for the first time, and Maeve, being the little diva already, christened her Auntie G with pee on her hoodie. The whole time in recovery Bry would mention, "can you believe we have another little girl?"
Honestly, I still can't believe it. Some 12 days later, I still cannot believe we have two little girls.
WOW!

It's a Girl! (short story)

Introducing our newest addition:

Maeve Kathleen who arrived on her own terms on January 20, 2010 via c-section at 10:08 pm.
She weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz and is 20 3/4 in long and is practically perfect in every way! To say I am smitten yet again, would be an understatement. Mo has taken to her new sister swimmingly, much to my relief.

I am so very blessed!

Dear Moira,

Dear Moira,
Sometime this week our lives will change forever and because you are so young, I know you won't remember your life as an only child. Part of me is glad that you and your brother or sister will be so close in age, but in that same breath, I'm sad that you are still so young and now this time as just you and me is over.
The past twenty-one months have been so amazing. I can't believe how you have become such a unique little person.
From the very beginning, your dad and I were captivated by your physical prowlness. Before you were born, Daddy was nervous that you be fragile and he would break you. Once you were here, we did not have to worry at all. From the very beginning, you were curious and strong. Your head and upper body were so strong that you almost rolled off the boppy at only a week old, which frightened both Mommy and Daddy.
As time went by, you defintely developed your own personality. You were actually very even tempered and mellow. You liked to eat, and sleep and you loved your swing- as did Mommy and Daddy those first few months. We started putting you on the playmat early, and you just seemed so interested in the animals, shapes, and colors. You were always just so happy, and both daddy and I loved you more everyday.
From the time you were about 3 months until 9 months, your favorite toy was the bouncer. You were an animal in it, and Daddy still swears that you were such an early walker because your legs got strong bouncing up and down. People were often surprised when I said you were rolling over, or crawling or even walking when you did, but you always were a very physical baby. It was just under 9 months when you figured out how to walk and that's when you started to get into everything!
Both Mommy and Daddy still believe you're lucky that you're cute, because otherwise you'd always be in trouble!
Before we knew it, we were celebrating your first birthday. We started music class around that time, just Mommy & you. Not too long into class, I noticed how much you loved music, clapping your hands, bopping your head or just dancing. You defintely didn't get that from Daddy or I!
At first when you were little, we rented a place to live, but soon after your first birthday we found our home and later that summer, we moved in. You had so much room to play both inside
and outside. As you got older, we started to explore this big world. We went to a playgym with A, Aunt Ash & Uncle Chris. We went to the beach a few times with Grandma and Gram and Pop. We went to the Sprayground with a bunch of friends and had a fabulous time playing in the water. We went with G to the zoo, and enjoyed feeding the gorilla and monkeys. Later, we went with her and her mommy and Katie to pick pumpkins and apples.

From the very beginning you were Mama's girl, but around the fall of 2009, you started to become more interested in Daddy. You loved to help him outside as he fixed our front lawn. You also had a great time with him as he lead you from house to house on Halloween. Daddy began to put you to bed every night and you two have your own special routine together, where you brush your teeth, and get your pajamas on, and Daddy sings the "Good Night Moira" song.
You also love to play with Daddy every night after dinner, while Mommy cleans up in the kitchen. As Christmas came, you got some great gifts from Santa and our family. Uncle Joe-Joe & Aunt Coll gave you a drumset that you love to play as you listen to Pearl Jam with Daddy every night. Sometimes you blow the harmonica or tap the tamburrine, or play your guitar, but mostly you and Daddy dance. Sometimes, you grab your baby doll and dance with her too. Grandma gave you a copy of Where the Wild Things Are and every night since Christmas either Daddy or Mommy or both of us read you the story before bedtime.
We have been doing so many great new things together. We played with playdough ,
baked cookies together,
gone to the Discovery Children's Museum a few times , colored colored and colored some more, continued with Music class, and started swimming class at the "pool" with "Daddy".

Every night, before you go up to bed, you give your Minnie Mouse doll, Rowdy the dog, & baby doll a kiss and then you come running up to me to say good night. I say the same thing to you every night,
I love you Lovie Girl. You are my most favorite girl in the whole wide world and I am so lucky to be your mommy!
I want you to know, Moira, that even though this new baby is coming and things will be different, you will always be my Lovie Girl and most favorite Moira in the whole wide world! I am so very lucky to be your mommy and love that I get to spend everyday with you. You are strong, smart, and beautiful and can do anything in the whole wide world that you want.
Love,
Mommy

Last quiet days...

I am a big swollen mess right now. I've got cankles, my fingers hurt when I bend them, my belly is so big that while sitting right now the weight is evenly distributed across my legs, and while baby has not been effecting my bladder too much, I am waking up every hour or so throughout the night because my hands fall asleep.
Ahhh....the end of pregnancy! I think I may have blocked out all these feelings from before.
Today I went for a pedicure and manicure. My toes currently resemble Vienna sausages and my fingers are so swollen my wedding band doesn't fit, if that is not a reason for nail intervention then nothing is!
I splurged and went for the "spa pedicure" where for an extra 10 bucks they gobbed on three different kinds of scrubs/masques/lotions, and spent a good 45 minutes working on my feet. Before painting my toes, he massaged my legs! HEAVEN!
I know in actuality I don't need a masque on my legs, especially in the dead middle of winter, but I enjoyed every bliss filled, child-free, quiet, second. Nail salons are virtual deserts in the winter, except for the people headed on vacation or the few who need waxing so this salon was all mine!
Who knows when my feet will see the interior of a pedicure sink again??? Newborns have a way with interfering with personal hygiene. I wanted to get a haircut before baby 2 came, but I never got around to scheduling, so I guess I'll be sportng the "mommytail" for a few months.
At least my toes will look good when they wheel me into the operating room!

No later then January 22

I will become a mom again.
My c-section for baby 2 is scheduled for Friday, January 22 which puts us at less then three weeks until b-day! I had my last MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) appointment this morning and it seems baby 2 is just like his/her older sister. Already, at just over 36 weeks he/she is weighing over 7 lbs and appears to be on course to weigh over 8 lbs. upon arrival.
Our "To Do" list is slowly getting attacked, as this weekend Bry brought some Rubbermaid boxes, various newborn/infant accessories, and the car seat up from the basement. Mo, of course being a nearly two year old, became instantly interested in the bouncy seat and car seat, attempting to climb in, on, and over them. We will be practicing with her doll for the next few weeks.
Bry also brought up the empty containers for our various Christmas decorations. I usually hate this time year. I hate the de-decorating, the taking down of the lights, and ornaments from tree, it seems like so many of those festive feelings are kaput the moment the last of the garland and tinsel are packed away, but this year is different.
I HAVE to clean it all up sooner then later, or else it might be up until March....or worse....
Bry could attempt to put it all way!
Imagine next Christmas and me attempting to get out those decorations then. That could be a disaster.
So, this week I will be de-Christmasing in exchange for re-babying!
YAHOO!

This year is going out with a bump!

My dear friend Ash came over the day after Christmas with her hubby & son. Mo & A had a wonderful time playing and running around, and of course being entertained by my dad, who is the biggest kid of them all!
Ash asked me early on in this pregnancy if she could take some bump shots. I balked at first. There was no way anyone was going to see my swollen, stretched out belly in person, let alone memorialized on film forever. She then explained that she would not do any naked stomach shots, and so I said sure.
After seeing this fabulous shot on Courtney's blog of her toddler daughter kissing her belly, I begged Ash to recreate this shot.
Without further adieu, the few shots I have had taken of my belly this second time around. I didn't realize we'd be shooting in the dining room, or I would have put Mo in a different color shirt.





So now, you've seen my belly. What do you think? Is it a boy or a girl?
My kid did manage to pick up the shirt and Ash did get one naked shot of the belly.
I have the pic tagged "Stretchmarks" on my computer.

Being the last post of 2009, I wish you a very happy, healthy, and fun-filled 2010! I'm pretty excited to see what this new year has in store for all of us!

Reality Check

Have you seen my pregnancy ticker lately?

When did I get SO CLOSE to my due date?
I keep telling myself that I have plenty of time to get things together for baby 2. I keep thinking, just get through Christmas and the New Year and then I can prep all the baby stuff.
I used to think that way until I read about my online friend Courtney. We became "online buddies" during our wedding planning days on the knot. We both were planning our weddings around the same time in the same location. After answering each others questions a few times, she discovered that she went to high school with Bry and so, almost 4 and half years later, while we've never met in real life, we pop onto each others blogs here or there.
Just after I found out I was pregnant with baby 2, Courtney also got the news that she was expecting not one but two babies! As I wrote above, I would pop on to her blog to read about her ever expanding belly as I saw my own in the mirror. She posted the most adorable picture of her daughter kissing her belly early last week and I earmarked it as a must take for my friend Ash who keeps reminding me she wants to take some belly pics (covered belly) before baby 2 arrives. The very next day, Courtney posted that the boys had arrived, almost 10 weeks early.
Thankfully they are both doing well and seem to be thriving.
But their arrival kind of hit me with the reality, that could have been me. Grant it, not two babies, but I can deliver anytime soon!
Needless to say, Bry has direct orders that within the next 48 hours he is to bring up the huge Rubbermaid container filled with 0-3 month old clothing, as well as the infant bouncer, swing, and any other newborn stuff, so that I can start washing things.
This mama's gotta get her nest ready for the newest addition!
All the while, please keep Courtney, her two little boys, and the rest of her family in your thoughts and prayers.

29 wks. 4 days

I had an appointment this morning with the MFM- Maternal Fetal Medicine- doctor to assess my pregnancy thus far and more excitingly, to get another ultrasound of the kid.
Things are looking good! He/she appears to be following the footsteps of his/her older sister. Already weighing in close to 4 lbs, baby is kicking up a storm and based on the measurements, growing about a week ahead of schedule.
As I was walking out I had to schedule a final appointment for 7 weeks. As I flipped my planner to January I almost lost my breath! Besides the date reading 2010, I looked again to January 28 which I had circled and realized how close we are to that day. The holidays are just around the corner, first we're tackling Thanksgiving, then St. Nicholas day (I want Mo to put out her shoes this year!), Christmas, then New Years then....BABY!!
WOW!
I'd share the ultrasound pic, but honestly he/she wasn't cooperating too much today. His/her hand spent most of the time covering his/her face. I guess he or she is already over the attention!

Good Mommy, Bad Mommy

I found out this morning while on my favorite message board as I looked at my ticker that there are exactly 100 days left until my due date for baby 2.
I have to be totally honest, things are so much different this pregnancy. I almost feel like a bad mom to be. I guess the best way to explain it is to compare my pregnancy with Moira and this one. For all intensive purposes, I feel the same, I think I am carrying the same, and really indigestion is my only negative side effect. However, my actions are definitely different this time around.

Pregnancy 1
I took pictures of my ever expanding belly at various times throughout it's growth.



Pregnancy 2
I think the closest I got to taking a belly shot was this:

I guess you can say that my hands are usually full and the opportunities to take photos my belly are fleeting when there's an 18 month old running around.

Pregnancy 1:
I got weekly emails sent to me by Baby center dot com to tell me what exactly was happening week by week. I also found myself eagerly reading the chapters in What to Expect When You're Expecting, imagining all those things happening to my little bundle of joy.

Pregnancy 2:
I find out via a ticker on my message board that I'm 100 days away from my due date. After updating my facebook status to reflect that, and then freaking out a bit, I check out it's sister site to find out the kid is roughly the size of an eggplant, and strangely I think how appetizing eggplant parmigiana would be for dinner.

Pregnancy 1:
Bry is freaked out when Mo starts moving and he can feel it.

Pregnancy 2:
Bry is freaked out when the kid starts moving and he can feel it.

Pregnancy 1:
I take long naps after coming home from work on the afternoons I don't have grad school. I milk the pregnancy thing for as much as I can and we end up ordering out 3-4 times per week.

Pregnancy 2:
I occasionally fall asleep on the couch while Mo naps upstairs. For some reason, I find pleasure cooking more. Perhaps it's the bigger kitchen or the fact I think I'm finally getting better at it!

Pregnancy 1:
I struggle to find clothes that cover the bump, even as early as 25 weeks and also look professional enough for work. Old Navy becomes my go to store when I discover their extra large maternity t-shirts are long enough and thin enough to keep me cool.

Pregnancy 2:
I have 3 pairs of pants and a boat load of pregnancy tank tops that rotate with open hoodies. A stay at home mom wardrobe is a little less formal then a teacher's.

Pregnancy 1:
I search high and low to find the perfect gender neutral bedding. Both Bry and I engross ourselves in the Baby Bargains book and various websites trying to find the best car seat, stroller, crib, diapers, etc... to register for.



Pregnancy 2:
Baby 2 will be enjoying the same infant car seat, jumper, and crib with bedding that Bry and I agonized over the first time around. Instead of checking out baby bedding, I've been looking for bedding for Mo's single bed.
The message board I frequent teaches me two important lessons.
1. The Baby Jogger double stroller is AWESOME and worth every penny.

2. Even if you don't have a shower, (which I don't want) register again for baby 2 (or 3 or 4) for the completion coupon and put a due date a few weeks before the baby's actual due date. This way you can buy what you need with an extra 15% off.

I must confess though, I do find myself having some of the same fears this pregnancy as I did with Moira.
Will I be able to handle a newborn? I know I can, but this time, how will I do it with a toddler running around?
Moira was an easy baby for the most part. She nursed like a champ from the very first session in the hospital. What if this one isn't so easy?
I also worry that I'm not going to give Mo enough attention and she'll act out. So far, she's a really easy going kid and a lot of fun. I don't want her to go all postal on me when she has to share the spotlight.
It's crazy to think that in a mere 100 days or less, our lives are going to be turned upside again. While I do have those fears, I also can't wait to meet this little guy or gal and enjoy the ride!

Dad - Good, Baby - Good, Life - Good!

My dad is home now recovering from his surgery. While she hasn't admitted it to me yet, I think my mom is already ready for Dad to return back to work and go back to their regularly scheduled life.
Things here are otherwise good.
The baby is a kicking fiend! I know you aren't suppose to compare kids, especially before they exit utero, but he or she is giving Mo a run for the money. Every little kick and movement gets me excited to meet this new little person, but not until after the holidays!
Mama don't want no 2009 baby!
We started our music class again but this time because of the new house, we're at a different location. Which means we have a different teacher and a whole group of different faces. I should also mention that now our class it at a local Temple instead of a dance studio. I have always considered myself to be rather open minded. I have friends of various colors, creeds, and orientations, but I had never been to a Temple before. I admit, I usually get a little anxiety before new classes. What will the other moms be like? Will Mo stick out because she's too loud? too tall? too rambunctious? Well, the anticipation before this class also included my worry over how to navigate a Temple. Will we be the only Gentiles?
I've been in churches and chapels before and usually if there was a class it was in the basement or community center. I had an idea of the location of the class but didn't really realize how large it was until we pulled up. CRAP! It is huge! Not only is it a temple but a community center, pre-school, and more all rolled up in one. I even found out today that there's a store inside! We definitely don't have stores in Catholic churches!
Anyway, I slowly undo the car seat to get Mo out of the car while perusing the parking lot for other women with children. Hopefully I think, I can find someone else who has been there and can point me in the direction of the Promised Land (I kid!)- the room for music.
Apparently I'm early so I walk to a pair of doors that I hope is the main entrance when I spy a mom getting her child out of the car. I switch directions to ask her if I'm on the right way when out sprints this petite woman wearing black workout capris, a black v-neck t-shirt with "Kids Music Round" emblazoned on the front, and a microphone in her ear which made me immediately think of this:
I have visions for a split second of toddlers Voguing around a Temple.
Our new teacher is very different from our former teacher. I would compare them as Modest Madonna with her ear microphone and amp to a folksy Joni Mitchell type. Night and Day!
We enjoyed our class and I love seeing Mo move to the music. I met a few moms and hopefully can make a few friends for both Mo and I along the way.
Like I said, it's all good so far!

It's a ...

healthy baby!
We had our level two ultrasound this past Monday and everything is where it needs to be for baby 2. Just like his or her older sister, his/her legs and arms are measuring ahead and the head circumference is on the larger side too!
We decided that again we will keep the gender of baby 2 a surprise until he or she joins us in January.
Here's a picture of the profile.

Feel free to make your guesses in our baby pool. Again, rewards will be given to the person who guesses the closest!