This is Two: A Quarantine Birthday

I took the day off of work to celebrate my best girl with visits from family and what a wonderful, sunny day it was - a needed bit of lightness after heavy few weeks - filled with happiness, family visits, sparkles and LOTS of pink. And gratitude.

I wanted to share a letter for my beautiful girl on her second birthday and some fun party photos…

My dear, my world. 

It often does not feel real that you are mine. That I am a mommy to such a bubbly, endlessly happy, giggly, silly, charming, bossy, sassy, sensitive, smart, sweet, chatty and beautiful girl who surprises us daily and brings everyone abundant joy.

Two years ago you barreled into this world - with daddy speeding down the highway shoulder in Chicago’s Friday rush hour traffic and being stopped by the police as you were determined to arrive promptly on your due date. And that you did - 06.08.2018 - and we were blessed with a healthy blue-eyed redhead girl (surprise!) who was perfect.

Fast forward two years, you:

-Adore and worship your brother, always asking where he is, what he is doing 

-Are a champion sleeper - thank goodness - with us having to wake you up sometimes by noon! (Though I have an inkling that you typically wake up in your crib around 9 a.m. and play quietly with friends, and likely then doze off.)

-Are often the happiest when at the kitchen table with your food and take it very seriously (and are hopeful that your peanut and egg allergies have reduced in severity; to be unveiled at an upcoming overdue allergist appointment)

-Speak in full sentences, can say the alphabet, count to ten and beyond and surprise us with lines like “It’s so sunny outside,” “I want to go to Ian and Alex’s house today and play”

-Wag your pointer finger when you don’t like something; “uh-uh, Momma” and also proclaim “stop copying me” when I repeat a word (which is usually to confirm what you are saying) 

-Love looking at pictures and videos of yourself and your brother; studying them and absorbing them intently 

-Understand when you need to go potty and let us know when you need to poop (though we haven’t fully committed to potty training… as mommy and daddy simply aren’t willing to add this task during quarantine with two working parents with no childcare the past three months) 

-Love to dance, wiggle and run to where you are going and raise both hands enthusiastically when you want to do or want something

On this birthday, sweet girl, I hope it was everything “Minnie” that you wanted. We love you endlessly. And are excited to see you grow into a kind, inclusive girl.

Below are some photos of your happy day. (And mom tip: a helium tank is a worthwhile investment!)

Whirlwind at Heart

Cannot believe that I haven't posted here in months! Argh, I'm awful - let's reset, shall we?! But where do I begin? 

Perhaps with the fact that I'm currently 39 weeks and four days pregnant? That our now two-year-old son has been boycotting naps and not sleeping? Or perhaps that my husband had open heart surgery weeks ago? Or that we're still living with my parents because our renovations to our home aren't complete?

They say life is crazy and I'm in no business of comparing to others but I know I'll look back at this time and simply think: what the.... ?! 

I'll share something that I posted on social media surrounding my husband's surgery. How do you share the news with friends, colleagues and more of a monumental life happening? Not sure of the right answer but here's what I shared (with a few tweaks)...

Tomorrow morning, my 35-year-old husband will have open heart surgery to repair a “4 out of 4” severely damaged valve and other associated complications. It’s still surreal to say and type. Mere weeks ago, we were focused on final remodeling decisions for our new home, a growing belly (32 weeks now), preparing for our son’s 2nd birthday, childcare for baby no. 2, busy summer work seasons and more... while these life pieces still stand, our world was additionally turned upside down.

The past weeks escalated quickly filled with myriad appointments, tests, doctor consults, expert opinions from across the country (literally - Dr. Craig Smith, Bill Clinton and Barbara Walters’ cardiac surgeon, Dr. Tara Nerula and others), ongoing doctor questions, new developments, switching of doctors/surgery teams, rescheduled surgery date and no shortage of emotional highs and lows. It’s a curious thing when you hear a thud at night and find your 6’3 husband in the best shape of his life lying on a kitchen floor after learning of needed heart surgery, rushing him to the ER and then for weeks thinking any loud noise could be him suffering a stroke or heart attack and not wanting to leave him alone.

There is an odd sense of relief of now having the top Chicagoland team and surgeon performing the surgery (Dr. McCarthy at Northwestern helped develop the ring going into his heart) but there are still many unknowns these next months. We will somehow navigate through. He has been nothing short of superbly amazing; poised, patiently explaining developments to friends and family, coworkers and more. He has been a rock, my rock.

We are grateful for support from many... parents flying back early (we will have all four grandparents help for little man), siblings, relatives, the Zeno and Midmark families, friends and more. Much love and good thoughts and prayers from all. 

Year One...

It's been one year since our sweet man arrived (4/4/16 @ noon). And it's true what they say - it goes by quickly! Like at lightning speed, people... just yesterday we were driving little man home from the hospital. 

I've read numerous mom websites and blogs with first year lists of "things I've learned" or "I survived XX" or "tips" and felt inspired to share some of my own memories, thoughts, notes and randomness. 

Here is my list of 365 things... just kidding. However, here's a lot, enjoy. 

FIRST MONTHS

-It's ok to have baby blues, those trying, "I just can't do this" moments and just cry it out... a LOT. It will happen. Have faith that it gets better. 

-Take time for yourself... your baby should have one-on-one dad/partner time  

-Accept that your body will never be the same  

-Trust your mom instinct - it magically appears and is usually right. 

GENERAL

-A little Facetime with family never stunted a baby's development 

-Pick a few blogs, apps that you like and stick with them for information - most are pretty exhaustive. Too much information is just overwhelming.

-Grateful for only one ER visit which resulted in double conjunctivitis, ear infection and croup... all at the same time, poor guy. It was scary and he did better than mom and dad. 

-You WILL make it through long road trips and plane rides (we visited Boston, Washington D.C., Park City) where only 1.5/6 of those flights was a disaster

-You will appreciate your parents more - think it's nearly impossible not to. Tell them you love them. 

-I've already forgotten about the endless nights of exhaustion, despair and no sleep - guess that's how people have more kids! 

NURSING

-When I stopped pumping at eight-and-a-half months (yes, that half-a-month is important!), it changed my life. Despite months after baby, I finally felt like a real person and like a weight was lifted.

-When you can't keep the milk supply up, it will be sad. (I may or may not have freaked out when I had one frozen bag of milk left.) It's ok and little man accepting formula was easier than I thought. Fed is best. 

-You might need to pump in the most obscure places (most memorable: a NASCAR racetrack with 160,000 attendees cheering in the distance)

-It is possible to carry on 104 ounces of formula on a plane (!)

BABY GEAR

-Get an extra bouncer chair for your bathroom so you don't have to lug myriad apparatuses throughout your home (I've seen them for as low as $20-$30). A few minute shower is a day changer... (see my previous post here about some of my baby gear favorites)

FOOD 

-No baby exploded from eating a non-organic piece of fruit or cracker

-Babies will survive licking and biting dog bones and toys  

-Carbs, carbs, carbs is the name of the game

-Husband suddenly stuck a finger full of peanut butter in his mouth at a Halloween party for his first time. I don't advise that route but all was ok. There were doctors in the room. 

-Offer them different foods, textures and flavors (while who knows if my little man will be a good eater when he's a toddler), I do believe that food opens up their world. If they reject at first, try again. And again. And again.

POTTY TALK 

-There's been only one public occurrence of runny diarrhea onto white pants while at a trendy outdoor summer bar (note: a Dreft or Tide pen is a diaper bag MUST.)

-We avoided poop in the bathtub and in the bathroom-to-nursery transport. For that I am grateful 

-Experienced only one spout of projectile vomit... at home, avoiding the bed, carpet and walls (who knew such a little person could output so much?!)  

PHOTOS

-Snap photos of you and your little one - puffy, pale and all  

-Do not let daycare teachers style your child for school pictures, lesson learned (he looked like a 60 year-old accountant) 

-Take pictures of their feet, hands, and toes. 

-Amazon Photo is your friend... most moms have an Amazon Prime membership, so Amazon Photo is FREE! Unlimited storage, hooray! 

CHILDCARE

-Do what feels right for YOUR family and base your selection on that, not anyone else's... same goes for your doctor

-Your child will do better than you do at the first day of daycare. Throw tissues in your purse. 

-We received a handful of "incident" daycare reports... falling, bumping, blood and the like. It's normal. 

I could go on and on. In closing, you will never experience love like this and won't remember your life without this little human. Sometimes when you look at them, your body will ache with love. Cherish the quiet, giggly and happy moments - allow them to consume you. Enjoy the magical journey. 

Photo: Chad Husar Photography (taken October 2016 - 6.5 months old)