Baby #2 for the Sweets...OMG.

Yup it is true. Andy and I are having another baby. We new we wanted to have 2 kids and after my blog post, it really hit home how much we wanted to start trying again. We thought it would take a couple of months maybe even longer since we were under a little more stress this time, (1+ year old baby, new business, Ironman training, etc.) but it happened shockingly fast. I joke with my sister-in-law about how she and her husband can just look at each other and get pregnant. For Andy and I, when we were trying with Aven, it took 3 months of "trying" and on the 4th -- I got pregnant. For baby #2, I wanted to see if I had learned anything from "trying" the first time...

*I keep putting trying in " " because it really isn't so much trying for us as scheduling thang.

I digress...So, in January, we stopped using birth control and I had a couple of old ovulation test sticks left over from Aven. Not sure if those test sticks expire, so I didn't really have all that much promise with getting pregnant on the first try. It didn't happen. No biggie. In February, I bought a new ovulation test kit and 2 digital pregnancy tests. I read and re-read the directions (typical of me) on the ovulation test kit until I had it memorized. I also did the ovulation calculator on Baby Center. So we had our 24-48 hour window. Other than, that we were pretty relaxed about the weekend. We didn't fall into the "OMG it could happen this weekend!" conversation. We didn't really get all that worked up. Which I think helped. We bought a couple bottles of wine, made some great meals at home, had some good quality time with each other, I got a massage at the end of the weekend, and then we waited. 

I think the 2 weeks of waiting until you either get your period or don't get your period, are the worst. I tried to stay calm and not get too excited. I didn't "feel" pregnant. I wasn't emotional and my boobs weren't sore. All of which happened with Aven. So, I was getting prepared to see the NOT PREGNANT on the digital read out. The day before I was supposed to get my period was a Friday. So I figured, if it says not pregnant it might be too early and not to get disappointed. So I took the test anyway. Andy was getting Aven ready for the day so ... I peed. The results come up fast on the digital preggo tests. That is why I like them so much. PLUS. It is really clear. Not digging the instructions out of the garbage to read and re-read...1 blue line or 2? What about that is "clear blue easy"? 

It read PREGNANT. So I tried to calmly walk into Aven's room and show Andy. I said tried...as soon as I saw Andy I couldn't help but hug him and start crying. I didn't want to freak Aven out in her (I am just like Daddy and do not like to wake up-sleepy baby mode) so I silently started cheering. I showed him the test and he was just as happy. 

We are really over the moon! Even though nugget #2 still has 28 weeks before his/her debut, I am at peace. I love Andy and Aven so much and I feel with a second child our family will be complete. Aven will have a playmate and hopefully a life long friend. They will only be 22 months apart. Due date is 11/11/2012.

It is funny...with your first baby everyone asks a couple of questions right off the bat: 1) How are you feeling? and 2) Are you going to find out if it is a boy or a girl? With the second pregnancy, people have been habitually asking: 1) Are you going to have more? and 2) Do you want a boy or a girl?

To answer those questions...I think we are going to be happy with 2 kids. Man on Man defense instead of Zone is the way we want to keep things. Plus, I am not getting any younger. I personally don't want to have babies in my forties. Not that that is a bad thing, it is just not what I am wanting for me. Regarding the sex of the baby, really? Really? I don't have a choice. Even if I did, I don't think I would take that opportunity. Also, from what I have learned from having Aven, it doesn't really matter if your kid is a boy or a girl. They are going to be their own person and give you back what you give them. Sure, it would be easier if we had a girl. We have all the clothes; but how hard is it to go shopping? If we had a boy, then Andy would have a buddy; but then he already has a buddy. Aven is SO a Daddy's little girl it is hilarious. She lights up when we pull up to the Hub or he walks in the room = buddy. So I think having a second Baby Sweet, regardless of if he is a boy or she is a girl, is going to be a wild, fun, and awesome ride. =)

Nugget #2 circa 7 weeks measuring 6.5 cm

WillpoweredJourney

My friend Will is running across the country. He is planning on touching all 48 states in his journey. Will is one of Andy's best friends from high school. Crazy to think he was training for his FIRST marathon ever when we got married 4.5 years ago!

What possessed him to do this? I don't know.
How is he doing this? I don't know.
Am I completely intrigued by his journey? Totally.

You can follow him on his path via his blog: willpoweredjourney.wordpress.com

Up until he started his journey, he was doing cardiac research for the University of Kentucky. I am not sure which came first the chicken or the egg; but he is raising money for the American Heart Association.

If you want to follow Will, please add his blog to your favorites or your blog list. If you want to donate to the American Heart Association this year, please do so via the link above. Regardless, this is a story that I think will gain some momentum. Pretty cool we are witnessing it 3 days into his journey.

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us." John Steinbeck

I am going to watch Will on his journey...and see how crazy his beard gets. Who is with me?

The Way We Were...

Sometimes reflecting can be counter intuitive. Other times it can be positive reinforcement. And then other times it can be a motivator.

Looking back on my adult life I have felt all three of these. There are things I wish I didn't do. There are things I wish I would have done and still can do. There are also things I wouldn't change for the world.

Taking a hiatus from competitive athletics has been a unique experience I could have never really done without being pregnant. Pregnancy certainly forced me to take a step back and reflect. In my heart, I know I am a rock climber, a runner, and a cyclist. Definitive roles I own and am proud of. But over the past 2 years I have put mother ahead of all of these. Taking time to have a healthy pregnancy, nursing, and time with my family is so important. But now Aven is starting to become more independent and is interested in the world around her more than she is having me at her beck and call. This realization is liberating but also a little sad too. My baby is growing up. *sniff.

I know I want Aven to have a sibling and I want them to be close in age so they can have more in common with each other while they are growing up; but then that means another 2 years of putting my competitive activities on the back burner.

Is it worth it?

I know I am never going to get paid to be a triathlete. I am never going to go Pro at any of the activities I enjoy, so what difference does it make if I wait 2 years? There isn't an expiration date on cycling, running, or climbing. On the other hand, it does get frustrating when I talk to my peers and they are all ramping up for a big race and I am not. I have not had the opportunity to be competitive in Chattanooga. I don't think any of my counterparts look at me as a competitive. But in my heart I know I am...will I still feel that way in 2 years?

Yes.

Yes, I will. I am a competitive person by nature. Duh. I try to beat the car next to me at a stop light when it turns green...in a 4 cylinder 7 year old SUV for goodness sake! Having another baby is not going to diminish that part of me. The joy I have gotten from being Aven's mom has been the best feeling I have ever had. Better than any hardware I have gotten in a race. Better than any PR I have accomplished. Better than sending my first 5.11. Hands down Aven's spirit and love has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt why I was put on this earth.


What does this all mean? I don't know. Well, I guess it says I am ready to have 2 munchkins running around Sweet Soddy Acres. Not saying this is happening tomorrow or next month, but I guess I am just saying I am ready...I think I am going to have to chat with Cara and see if this is really what I want LOL.

Congrats to everyone at the TT this morning! I was thinking about you and wishing you luck.

Whew we made it!

Oh my...it has been 3 months since my last blog post! I have been busy. Duh. To be honest, that is not really an excuse. I think my priorities ebb and flow depending on how much time I have. Bla bla bla. The bottom line is I have been a crappy blogger. Sorry.

Here is a quick recap: Work has been good for me. I have been with ABG for almost a year and am feeling much more confident. I like the guys I work with and my boss is very supportive. The HUB is doing really well. I am so proud of Andy and Jamie. They have really made something very cool out of nothing. REALLY. We had NOTHING when we all started. Aven started crawling over Halloween weekend, and has not stopped moving since. She is so stinking cute when she wants to move fast. Now she is pulling herself up on things and cruising like a pro. I think we are just a couple of weeks away from walking. We spent Thanksgiving in TN. We had/have a ton of rain this winter. We spent Christmas in IL, and West TN with Grandparents and family. Aven's birthday/NYE party was fun.

Since Aven's first birthday, I have done a lot of reflecting. Being that her birthday is on New Year's Eve, it somewhat forces you to reflect, even if you don't plan on it. I kept thinking about *last year I had a 1/2/3/4 day old baby at this time, I was just learning how to breastfeed, I didn't know what sleep deprivation really was, etc.*

So many people say this, but the first year of Aven's life has gone by SO fast. But like when most people actually sit back and reflect then they realize there was A LOT in that past year. I love Aven more than anything in the whole world, but those first 3 months were tough. Everyday things got a little less tough. I think my most favorite time of her life so far as been the past 3-4 months. I can't wait for her to be her own little person. She has already started to show her personality. She is so smart, and sweet. She does have a stubborn streak...I have no idea where that came from. ;-)

I thought it was hard dropping her off at day care the very first time, but it seems to be getting harder and harder. All I want to do is play with her, teach her things, and get to know her. It ticks me off that someone else gets to do those things with her. I know it is a necessary evil to have 2 working parents, and I wouldn't want to put that burden on Andy, even if we could "afford" to be a 1 income family...but sometimes I don't want to walk out that day care door. I know I am not the only Mommie out there to have these feelings. I also know I am not going to be the last either. *sigh*

This past year has been the hardest and the most rewarding of my life. Aven has made Andy and I a family and I am so happy she is here. Here are some photos from the past year...

I've Lost My Mind AND a Cup Size!

Recently I posted up a Facebook status update that on the surface, I thought was a normal thought provoking update. Come to find out either people thought it would be a better idea to poke fun at me or reply back with reassuring "it will be ok, don't worry" comments. Alright, rewind. Here is a little back story to my status update:

On October 4th a baby girl named Lisa Irwin went missing. She is 11 months old from Missouri. She was reported to be taken from her crib while sleeping. My heart broke. Aven turned 9 months that week and upon hearing this news a couple of things went through me. The first was, I am going to keep my eyes peeled for any baby that looks like Lisa (boy or girl) because the kidnappers could dress her as a boy to disguise her. The second thing that went through my head was, what if I falsely accused someone of kidnapping Lisa because my memory recall from her photos could be inaccurate?

Then, my mind started twirling...

What if someone thought Aven was Lisa? How would I prove that Aven was mine? Yes, I know DNA exists. I also know that there would be many of my friends and family that would be witness to the fact I am indeed Aven's mom. My question was targeted as a more "on the spot" sorta verification.

I am painfully aware that these thoughts could be considered as overreacting. But are they?

One side says yes. The probability this could happen to anyone I know is rather slim. Really really slim. Read this blog post: How Dangerous is Childhood? At first glance, I was worried my thoughts would have been supported. But upon further reading, I started to feel a little better.

The other side says no. If it is your baby that is taken, was there anything you could have done to stop it? Lock your windows? Become a helicopter parent? Purchase an Amber Alert GPS?

I am sure there is a happy medium to both sides. I have confidence that I will find it. The thought provoking question is why? Why did I just now start to freak out about the big bad world? Why not when Aven was first born? Or before? Was it Lisa? Or was Lisa a catalyst?

The best conclusion I could come up with was I stopped breast feeding (totally) at about the same time baby Lisa went missing. Aven started pushing herself away at night time and morning feedings. You can lead a horse to water...so we stopped. The same time I started to worry and worry and worry about her. I think before I was concerned, but I always felt connected to her. It sounds strange, but I just knew she was alright. Without a tether, I felt so disconnected and flailing. Things have gotten better since I started to realize the reason behind my hypersensitivity.

The reason I wanted to blog about this was not to embarrass myself, which I am sure I have done. Rather to bring to light if any mom out there is starting to ween their baby and they have crazy OMG moments, it is normal. Well...at least I did it ;-) Not to say that I am normal, but maybe...

Rolling in the Deep...

I am freaking in LOVE with this song. Adele is amazing. There are certain singer/song writers that just hit ya, you know?



Sara Bareilles wicked awesome.



And Dolly...what else is there to say?

As Aven's birthday gets closer (I know it is still 3 months away, but closer nonetheless) I realize how crazy fast she is growing up in front of my eyes. I hope she grows up with strength, thirst for knowledge, conviction, passion, and above all love. I am so lucky to have found the love of my life and to have been so blessed with the love of a child. I feel like a better version of myself when I think of the woman I want to be to teach Aven.

Another season is upon us and with cooler temperatures and holidays approaching, I always do a lot of reflecting. Ergo this hodgepodge of a blog entry. Well there you have it. I think I have rambled on enough to confuse the average reader. Bye!

Pack your Bags--Bags!

The above statement is no longer!

Sleep is glorious. I have taken for granted all the mornings I slept in as a teenager and a hung over college student. Serious lack of sleep will make you feel like you are living in an alternate universe. For lack of a better example, a dull catatonic version of your vibrant self.

In addition to not stressing about working out (which I am working out even more than before LOL), I have decided to slowly start weening Aven from breast milk. As much as I know it is SO good for her, I think it is time.

I was pumping 2 times at work, preferably 3 times. 1 time after she went to bed, but before I went to bed. A final time in the middle of the night, around 3:30 am. I had to do this to keep up with her demand; if I wanted to do 100% breast milk.


As I might have mentioned before, we found a formula that she doesn't reject (aka projectile vomit). Gerber Good Start Soy formula has done the trick. Since this discovery, my life has been MUCH less stressful. I pump 2 times at work and that is it!!! We are doing 1/2 formula and 1/2 breast milk in her bottles. I nurse her before bed and when she wakes up.

Me: Sleeping through the night for the first time in 8 months this week has been amazing!

Aven: Sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old. *jealous*

I feel like myself more than I ever have before. Don't get me wrong...I don't feel like I have sacrificed a huge amount of myself or anything. It is just a little sleep here and there. I would totally do it all over again in a heart beat. But I gotta say, uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep is freaking A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

I woke up this morning with the ability to make a plan for the day, look forward to going to work, pack a bag to work out over lunch, and plan a yummy healthy dinner for the hubby and me. WOW.