35

35
Is the number of weeks pregnant I am today.  What?!  I feel it in my bones that I'll go post dates, buttttt I know there is always the chance that I'll go early, which means really anytime between now and the middle of July is baby #2's birthday.  And me?  I can officially join the circus thanks to my elephant cankles.  The same miserable swelling plagued me 3 years ago (and worse last time, if I'm being honest)...  but man, oh man... it's hard with a toddler.  All I want to do is crash after work, but dinner, soccer, bathtime, bedtime... woof!  I am getting a prenatal massage the first week in June and I CANNOT WAIT.

This is about a week ago... dirty shirt, yes.  Extra large belly, yes.  CANKLES LIKE WHOA?  YES!

Over the weekend Adam installed shelving into the formerly dysfunctional closet (hate hate hate wire shelving units!).  I didn't have anywhere to put baby clothes due to the lack of space and furniture in the nursery... so I was just sitting around, waiting to wash Reid's old baby clothes.  And I was getting impatient.  And naggy.  But!  Adam worked hard and the shelves look GREAT and I washed the clothes.

>>Side note.  About half of the teeny tiny I-can't-part-with-ANY-of-these baby clothes had gross yellow stains all over them.  I swear I washed them before storing!  It must be a common thing since I found a ton of resources online about how to fix the problem.  I followed this easy advice with my trusty Kroger brand oxy clean that I use on diapers.  The first almost 24 hour soak just about sealed the deal, but I wasn't satisfied with the "bringing home baby from the hospital" onesie, so I did another 16ish hour soak.  Success!!!  The CFO of the family (Adam) will be very pleased.<<

Adam and I are taking Hypnobirthing classes this go around through Roots Wellness.  I am planning a VBAC, have hired a fabulous doula (who I spent a fun day with at the Columbus BirthWithoutFear conference a couple weeks ago), and we will be utilizing a birth photographer (but will also pop in for some newborn shots with the ever so talented Ivory Lamb Photography).  I am back at LLL meetings, have an order of fresh (newborn sized!) cloth diapers to pick up from Samozrejme in Troy, and my stash of PP cloth pads are stacking up nicely.  :)

But who cares about all that?  I know you're here for the pictures.

Reid turned 3.  THREE!!

Reid's first soccer game went something like this...

Grammy taught Reid a song about "tall man" and he LOVES showing us "tall man."

Reid's second soccer game went something like this...

Curly.

3 year wellness appointment...  and Reid insisted on wearing my BirthWithoutFear nametag/lanyard.

Park play date with a blue lolly and a handsome boy.

Seven more days of school.  That is all.

Reid Speak

Reid: (after reading two bedtime stories)  Mama, let's snuggle.
Julie: Okay, but only for a couple minutes.
R: (wraps arms around my neck, gazes into my eyes)  Mama, you're my big girl.

++++++++++++

Julie:  What's your baby brother's name?
Reid: Ohmygosh Conley.  No, Hilarious Conley.

++++++++++++

Julie:  (at the sitter's house)  Reid.  Reid!  REID!
Reid: (running around, clearly ignoring)
J: One... Two...
R: Mama, I don't like you right now.  I don't like you or want you, but I still love you.

++++++++++++

Julie:  If you want a cupcake, you have to finish all of your dinner.  Including those carrots and the red pepper.
Reid:  Totally.
R:  (rolls eyes)

++++++++++++

Julie:  What's your baby brother's name?
Reid: Conley Conley
R: Hot Dog Conley
R: Pancake Conley
J:

Confessions...

...I just ate Reese's Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream, straight from the tub...

... (because) I lost the battle of bedtime and Reid is sleeping on the couch...

... and it's after 10pm...

... and I gave up snacking after dinner for Lent...

... oh, and I'm 25 weeks + 5 days pregnant.

The End.

XOXO, 

Julie

PS: bring back the blog or let it continue to slooooooooowly die??  {{discuss}}

Go Reds

Going to baseball games is something we've always done.  Adam has been a lifelong Reds fan and I've always enjoyed any live sport.  Last summer we took him to a Dragons game.

Reid and PopPop Dave// Sleeping on daddy// Sporting his Dragons hat with me

Now that Reid is 2, we've been taking him with us to Reds games.  The first time was... a challenge.  It was fun, but a challenge.  We didn't really see much of the game.  We never made it to our ticketed seats.  We only sat for maybe an inning... or half an inning?  But Reid DID get a certificate for attending his first game.  He also joined the Reds Heads Kids Club.

Quick and Personal Update

As I've mentioned in previous posts, we have been trying for baby #2 for a while now.  I was under the (clearly false) assumption that since my body had been pregnant once before, it would happen more quickly (and easily) the second time around.




Nope.

We headed back to our Reproductive Endo at the beginning of this month, and luckily he was on board to start with what worked for us last time.  No months and months of fertility drugs, testing and trying out different concoctions and amounts.  We started off, on the day of our consultation, beginning meds, blood work, an SHG (similar to the HSG I had a couple years ago) and planning an IUI for the next week.

I'm now in the last days of the two week wait.  The horrible, crazy-making, roller-coaster TWW.  I'm 11 days past IUI and so far, nothing to be seen on a pregnancy test.  So basically, unless a miracle happens (like a late implantation), we'll be looking at starting over in the next cycle.

Boo.  Hiss.

TTC and TTLW

You should know what TTC means (and if you don't, just google it.).

I'm also TTLW.  I made it up.  It means Trying To Lose Weight.

I'm hoping two things.  1.) That I lose weight, and also gain a baby bump.  OR 2.) That I lose weight.  I obviously want #1 a WHOLE LOT MORE.

I am approaching an all time high in weight.  It's annoying.  I have never been tiny or petite, but I was athletic in my youth.  I was ALWAYS on some kind of team (swam on a swim team for ten years back in the pool rat days) and attended sports camps all summer.  I was the kid with tan lines and events tattooed to my palm. Now that I'm 32 (right?  I can't really keep track anymore) I just want to sit and eat do nothing in the three spare seconds of my day.

And because all good diets life plans summer goals start on June 1st, today I logged my semi-healthy start on MyfitnessPal.  If you want to follow me, my name is julieeconley.  Original, right?  I'd LOVE to lose 20 pounds before school starts back up.  I'd also like to be pregnant.  Fingers crossed for both???

Giggles and Almost-Walking

So about that I'm going to update more often stuff... whoops!

Things here are good.  Better than good.  Being a SAHM, even if only temporarily for summer vacay, is really nice.  Take today:
I woke up when I wanted(ish)
Sipped some coffee and watched the Today Show while the babe played at my feet
Met a friend for lunch
Went to the park/splash pad with said friend (and another one joined) plus all the kids
Came home for naptime
Went Krogering when all the samples were out (sushiiiiii!)
Hubs came home & we left for Family Storytime at the libary
Came home and hit up the neighborhood pool
Bath/Stories/Bed for Reid
Ate half a watermelon while watching the Reds with Adam

I mean, it looks like a long list... but that's good stuff on that list.  No grading, no lesson planning, no meetings.  A girl could get used to this!

Here are some cute videos of Reid.  Because that's why you're here, right?  ;)

Couch cushions are hilARious!

Almost walking??

Siblings at play

The "I'm trapped under a sleeping baby" Post

I have gotten pretty good at laying Reid down for a nap/the night without waking him up.  Except for today.  I have started that transition into his crib gently, calmly, silently... And somehow plopped him & awakened him 3x in a row.  The poor kid was without afternoon naps for two days in a row, and I refuse to deny him of sleep today.  So here I sit, in a darkened nursery, in the most amazing chair ever. (http://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/products/grand-comfort-rocker-and-ottoman/?pkey=cslipcovered-upholstered-chairs)

What does one do when trapped under a sleeping baby?  Thanks to my iPhone I have:

1. Scrolled my Facebook newsfeed

2. Checked my emails

3. Browsed Instagram 

4. Caught up on a few blogs I read (in case you are looking for some reading material: mamalaughlin.com, birthingbeautifulideas.com, skinnymeg.com, lifeintheklaaslane.blogspot.com, momastery.com,  juststoptryinganditwillhappen.com... I easily have 20 more that I follow)

5. Started this post. ;)

(I'll probably get a picture of the tot before this is all said and done too, so #6 should be "took a picture")

Reid turned 13 months on Sunday.  He's pretty incredible.  I'm amazed daily of what he can do.  He is constantly pointing and asking "what's that?", which sound like whazz dahh?!!?  He crawls around the house.  As in, I have to pay extra close attention now.  As in, keep the basement door shut.  As in, maybe he wants a toy from his room and he knows how to get there, so he just goes there.  It's nuts.  

Reid's also eating mass amounts.  Last night at my mom's surprise retirement dinner, Reid shocked people by snacking on "Cheerios" (you know I have the off brand and organic-y ones, heh), then he gulped chunky applesauce, then his grilled chicken and red grapes dinner.  Oh, and then he helped me eat my salad, so he had egg and turkey and ham.  And cupcakes!  He snarfed one of those bad boys like listen bob, I've done this a few times now.  I got this.  True.

This kid is really sleeping.  Perhaps I will do a little pinning on Pinterest?  :)

In the Middle of the Night

I go walking in my sleep, through the valley of.., just kidding.  I'm not here to sing you some Billy J.  

Last night was reminiscent of Reid's newborn days.  I forgot that Mad Money was on NBC from 3-4am.  I forgot how irritating it was to hear someone else snoring while I paced the living room.  I forgot how rock hard the living room floor is (I was prepared for a puker and set up blanket camp there.)

Little Reidy boy had a hard time sleeping last night.  He was really tired, but also really uncomfortable.  I suspect teething to be the reason, but I'm not positive.  I finally caved and gave him some Tylenol around 6:30 and he's been sleeping ever since (with one short wake for a mommy potty break and baby diaper change).  It's ten after 10.  Sweepy guy.

So today is going to be a snugly, cuddly, resting kind of day.  

Here's to hoping RWC wakes up feeling better!

Vids of the Kid

Well look at me, I'm on a COMPUTER.  When using social media (FB, Instagram, Blogger, etc.), I am on my phone 95% of the time.  I've typed the last couple posts with one hand while nursing or rocking the boy to sleep.  My Blogger app doesn't let me post videos, and it's kind of a pain to post pictures too.  I can't really edit/format, and if you know me, that kind of drives me cray.

So prepare yourself for lil video montage.  They go from oldest to newest.

9.5 months.  Post diaper change dolphin chatter between the boys.  #yuptheyrerelated

11 months.  Eating like a man.

11 months.  Army crawling and squeaks

12 months.  Reid's cake smash

And maybe you can't tell, but this kid has changed SO MUCH in the last few weeks.  I mean, look at him.  He's DRIVING!  

Smashed

Today was Reid's first birthday party. Here are my thoughts:
1. Spent way too much on balloons. Hell, spent way too much PERIOD.
2. My anxiety about rain at our park party came true. It was wet and cold for 2/3 of the party. The shelter was nice though and nobody complained (except me and the hubs. We are ALWAYS the buzzkill).
3. Ashlie & Nick got suckered into helping set up and make burgers (in the rain). That's what ya get for being punctual. ;)
4. The cupcakes were SO good. Thank you, Kim, for sharing your cake lady. She is now my cake lady.
5. Holsie's "avocado crack" was gone in 2.5 seconds. Yes, it's really good. She is now my (avocado) crack lady.
6. Reid got awesome presents. Probably because we know some pretty awesome people.

This kid is passed out on me, and I'm (blissfully) typing this post on my iPhone from his nursery. Time to sign off and fully enjoy this moment. Total kairos. :)

ONE YEAR OLD

Reid turns one officially at 1:22 PM EDT.

I can still smell the delivery room. I can still taste the coffee I downed in our five days at the hospital. I can still feel the sting in my eyes from the sleep deprivation. I can still feel my skin sticking to the posh vinyl chairs I used as a makeshift bed in the recovery room.

Doesn't seem possible, but it is.

From what I gather, this is an emotional week for Mama Bear. While my emotions were running high from pre-birth to departing the hospital, I've fared well. I enjoy watching the maturity and developments of my little fellow. When I lather him up with lotion, I know that too soon, those legs will be a hairy mess (like his dad), the occasional shrieks of joy will be replaced by "leave me alone!!!" and a locked bedroom door in a matter of no time, and the cute little $1.99 meals will make way for $400 trips to the grocery.

We dwell on what lies ahead and talk about time escaping us a lot. I feel that we do live in the moment more than we lead on. I reflect week-to-week on the amount of things that don't get done, but in reality - I like how time does seem to freeze when I'm with my baby.

Just last night, I returned home late and took a sleeping kid into my arms and sat meditating for over a half hour. How many times did I get to do that in years past?

Looking forward to hanging out again with my boy and all the days that follow.

acc

365 days old

Tomorrow Reid will be 1. ONE. 365 days old. I have been a forreal mom for 365 days. I'm, like, legit now. No longer a rookie, since my baby, my INFANT, is a one year old.

Thank God I can still explain his age in months for another year. After all, that's what I'm used to.

Everything else about my justababyforonemoreday seems to be changing at warp speed. He's crawling and pulling up and chatting (he calls me Bob). He's eating real human food (and thankfully still mama milk too). In fact, he eats kind of like a man. Yesterday he picked up a bowl of scrambled eggs and tried to lick it clean. He must have learned that trick from his "get it all" clean plate club dada.

I have sucked at posting the details of our lives. I wanted to document everything. But that's a hard commitment. I mean, we don't even walk our dog. Sorry, Lucy.

Maybe with summer approaching and school ending (and my list of bookmarked blogs growing) Adam and I will post more often.

I want to, I promise.

And here's a picture of the justababyforonemoreday (from the impromptu visit to the pedi to check a dumb rash that won't go away).

51 weeks, four days

Hard to believe, but one year ago tonight, Julie and I packed up our bags and left our house one final time as a family of two.

We've had many highs (and  a few lows) along the way, but feel that Reid enjoys being the third wheel around our house.

Speaking of wheels, he's now getting that hamstring meat and lifting himself up with ease. We laugh at him from afar, at how bulky his diapers make his otherwise slender body appear when he's in his jammies.

As we prep for a big birthday bash this coming Sunday, I'll try to be a little more mindful of getting some updated pictures on the blog and sharing some more memories AND sharing our future plans for the summer... which is right around the corner.

AC (Dad)

Eleven months, one week, two days

In honor of Reid's eleven months on earth, all posts hereafter, will be lists of eleven (twice)... because I'm the dad and I said so.

Dad's Top 11 Pearl Jam Songs

11. Severed Hand (Pearl Jam)
10. Red Mosquito (No Code)
9. Nothing As It Seems (Binaural)
8b. Glorified G (Vs.)
8a. Soon Forget (Binaural)
7. In Hiding (Yield)
6c. Breath ('Singles' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
6b. Animal (Vs.)
6a. Love Boat Captain (Riot Act)
5. Black (Ten)
4. Daughter (Vs.)
3. I Got Id (Merkin Ball (EP), with Neil Young)
2. Dissident (Vs.)
1. I Am Mine (Riot Act)

Dad's Top 11 Sports Teams (Since I started following sports)

11. 1998 Ohio State Buckeyes (Football)
10. 1995 Cincinnati Reds
9. 2010 Cincinnati Reds
8. 1999 Cincinnati Reds
7. 1998-99 Ohio State Buckeyes (Basketball)
6. 1989 Cleveland Browns (solely for beating the Steelers 51-0 at Three Rivers)
5. 2010-2011 Boston Bruins
4. 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes (Football)
3. 2007-08 Boston Celtics
2. 1985-86 Boston Celtics
1. 1990 Cincinnati Reds

Eleven months and one day

Reid celebrated his eleventh month out of the womb yesterday in fine fashion. He's now crawling with ease, lifting himself up onto our ottoman and my torso (when I form a barrier between him and the dog).

With baseball season just getting underway, I'm critiquing his throwing motion every day. At this point, he's ambidextrous, and I'm on a mission to have him utilize this. Scholarship money will start our way in about sixteen years should he continue his progress. For now, he can palm and lift the tennis ball, it's just that he likes to ape Lucy and chew on the nasty felt, rather than have her retrieve it.

As I watch him and see how restless he's becoming when I keep him in my lap to read a story book, I can't help but regret not taking him to his first ball game last summer... when he was immobile. I still think this year will be promising, since he's not all-out running, but get the feeling I'll need to do a lot of roaming the stadium when we do decide the time is right.

I didn't attend my first game until I was six, but I don't have to chauffer my son four hours round-trip like my dad did. Some people don't get the whole baseball fix, and that's fine. To me, baseball is my childhood, summertime, innocence, entertainment, mathematical overload, and trivia fix all stuffed into an uncomfortable plastic seat and glaring solar rays for 2.5-to-4 hours.

I liked all other sports and activities as a kid, but there's just something about baseball that gets me out of bed in the morning. Name one other activity you did as a seven-year-old that you're still doing today. For me, Sunday afternoons are still spent perusing the box scores and the weekly statistical listings... same as way back when. I still get the urge to play catch if I find anyone else wanting to do so. I still get that "internal smile" every time I see the green grass of the outfield and take in the smell of the ball park.

Another great thing about baseball... I've been to hundreds of games in my lifetime and I've still never caught a foul ball. I jammed my finger on a Chris Sabo foul in the third inning of a Cubs game (5/10/1990) and it found a home three rows behind me.  I never gave any thought to it at the time, but 23 years later, I should have a collection by now.

There will be plenty of opportunities to lug my little guy to the stadium this spring/summer/fall. These will be the only days when I can pull off the two-for-one, with his admission being free, as long as he's able to sit on my lap. Keep your fingers crossed that I can perform such a feat!

ac

Seven months, 27 days (WTH!?!?)

** Intended to post on 12/29/2012 **

A recurring theme in our blogs seem to be: 'We haven't posted in awhile...', 'We're so busy...', '(Insert other excuse)'. As we sit days away from a new year, it's time for a new start. Obviously, people do read our mindless ramblings, so in 2013, we'll continue to strive to be more consistent with penning (typing) our deep thoughts into the HP Pavilion. On the other hand, we ask for more comments, questions, and feedback from our constituents. We're nearing 7000 views and have maybe a dozen unique comments. (Sigh.)

We could fill in the blanks over what we've missed in the past few weeks and months... perhaps Julie can upload some pictures from the forgotten era and put them up later.

Here's to a blessed new year from our family to yours!

A/J/R/L

Eight months, one day - 2013 (First Edition)

January 3, 2013

Dear Reid,

This time of year, I attempt to morph into a motivational guru and make drastic changes to my daily life. Changes that I see necessary because I've become so complacent with the state of my day-to-day habits and wish to watch them vanish into the sunset... as if they crept into my life oh so suddenly.

The sad truth is, I've allowed so many areas of my life to become 'too full' of negative influences and I accept this as normal. I find myself in a rut and do just enough to get by... pressing onward to the next challenge to be half-assed.

Rather than dwell on the things I wish to change, I'll start with the things I want to continue:

* I want to continue to lead you on a path that sets you up to make wise decisions through your formative years. A path that you'll obviously want to tweak with your own unique spin when you become a man and have a family of your own.

* I want the first thought when you think of "home", as a place of love, kindness, patience, and support.

* I want to give you my heart to comfort you when you're down.

* I want to offer you advice when you seek it.

* I want to show you the power of prayer and faith.

* I want to teach you how to navigate life's twists & turns, how to hold your head high when you're down.

* I want you to think of me when you think of honesty.

* I want you to learn. Learn something new every day. Share these nuggets of wisdom with me, your mom, and others.

I don't feel that the above items are too hard to accomplish, in fact, I've strived to lead a good and decent life. I fall short from time-to-time, but learn from the mistakes of the past and move on to a new day.

Things I will work on:

* Curbing the Irish temper.

* Go to bed and wake up with consistency. (Lose the Snooze: 2013)

* Treat all of God's creatures with respect. We are all equal and unique.

* Be a man of action. Plan meticulously and be prepared for what life hands you, good or bad.

* Long walks when the weather breaks... for you and Lucy.

* More time for family... within your house and with those afar.

* Exploring the world. Out in the yard of thousands of miles from home.

Here's to a great start to 2013 and beyond!

Love,

Dadadadada

Seven months, nine days

(Written on 12/11)

One intends on blogging on a semi-regular basis and WHAM!... life happens.

Shame on us both for not keeping the world (or, the 6700 people that have viewed our blog) up-to-date on our life with Reid.

Only two weeks til Christmas, we got a jump on shopping this past weekend. Actually, we didn't. Who am I kidding.

Julie will most likely knock her shopping out between this weekend and next. Me? I'll wait until Sunday 12/23 and still need to go back on Christmas Eve. It's a ritual.

(Didn't finish this... fell asleep, but fairly accurate.)

ac

Six months, six days

What to write today?

Reid had his six month checkup at the pediatrician yesterday. Doing great, growing as he should be, and got more vaccinations (handling it like a big boy).

It's been fun over this past half year watching the little baby morph in to more and more of a boy.

Even though I haven't had the time that Julie did over the duration of her maternity leave, I have still treasured the two-to-three hours we spend in the evenings together. Our best times are always bath time, in the 7:00 hour and the wee morning hours when mommy gets ready.

Bath time always starts with the changing of the daytime outfit and a ticklefest. When Reid is placed on the changing table, he makes a face, but the second he knows the clothes are coming off it hits him... IT'S BATH TIME!!!

We have a typical drill where I quietly creep up on the bathroom door and say to him, "I wonder if that handsome baby is in here again?" We reach our way into the bathroom and hit the lights while standing in front of the mirror... "THERE HE IS AGAIN!!!" Dad exclaims, and a big smile ensues.

I lay the little fellow in his tub within our tub and he perks up at the sound of the running water. I drizzle warm water all over him and on about the third one, a high-flow stream of pee shoots over the tub and smiling continues. True boy all the way.

I allow Reid to mingle with the crab, octopus, pufferfish, and turtle that reside in his basket of goodies. He's always shocked when they 'spit' at him. He'll continue to smile, kick, and splash until he wears down. Then, it's a quick head rinse and into the froggy blanket.

Reid loves the first stage of post-bath. It consists of drying and lotion application. The massages to the legs, (ticklish) feet and arms are something I know will initiate more smiling and lots of chatter. When the diaper and pajama donning occurs, that's when we run into trouble. It's as if something in his head says, "I'm hungry and I hate you Dad!". I do my best to get him dressed as soon as possible.

Our mornings are another highlight of my days. A typical morning finds us at the breakfast table, discussing politics or baseball. We'll normally sit there for twenty minutes as I eat cereal and he clangs bowls and sippy cups against the tray.

I know the bath time memories are limited, but I do hope that my son always finds time for breakfast with dad.

ac