You don’t think you’ll be that way or that you’ll do that thing (or that you’ll buy into that), but then ::listen up::…ya do.

If you’re me anyway…you end up being THAT Mom.  the hypocrite.

Guilty.as.charged.

And guess what, I’m embracing it.  Being a Mom is a humbling experience that forces you to regret the judgment you ever impressed on other Moms.  Because, lemme tell ya sister, you don’t know until you’ve been there!

Here’s what I’m up to as a 6-week-new Mom, doing the things I was sure I wouldn’t…

Pacifier…needed (dang!) -

I made it 16 days before we (along with Max’s pediatrician) decided that Baby needed to try it out.  Luckily, he’s not obsessed…yet.  The fact that it helps him to calm his little body when he gets himself all bent outta shape makes it SO worth it.  [Don't expect it to stick around for long, though - I've got my eye on the prize!]

Video Monitor…yup…bought one -

I didn’t want one.  I didn’t want to be that Mom that stares at their child at every little sound (from arm flail to little suckle). Well, now, I guess I do.  It’s peace of mind that’s worth it to me…for now at least.  Thanks to a Groupon deal, we got one that didn’t break the bank (because man, those things CAN ABSOLUTELY break the bank!).  We haven’t had a reason to use it yet, though, because of the next “oh no I di-ent” move…

Mr. Man is 6 weeks old and still sleeping in our room - 

Listen, our bedroom’s downstairs and Max’s is up.  It’s far and we’re not ready. Sure, we’ll miss being able to look over and see him at any moment (seriously, we miss him while he sleeps).  But more than that, in the middle of the night we’re – well – TIRED!  Let’s just call it a safety precaution for me and my already beat up body.  He’ll enjoy his beautiful nursery soon enough!

Speaking in 3rd person…specifically, calling myself “Mommy” and “Mama” -

“Mommy needs to peepee”

“OH NO, Mama’s sah-wwweee”

“Give Mommy a second, bud”

“Dada’s getting impatient with Mama” ← direct quote

Ohhh, the pukey list goes on.  I know how annoying this is.  I annoy myself.  But still…I continue.  It just feels right!

via here

My kid IS the cutest kid…ever -

Okay so I’m guilty of thinking this, but have not done the whole vote-for-the-cutest-baby-in-the-world (who happens to be MINE!)-so-we-can-win-this-contest thing yet.  You’re welcome.  [Side note: I am not being judge-y of my Mama friends who HAVE asked for me to vote for them.  I'm sure I'll get there someday.  I'm just letting the Mommy juices marinate.]

I mean…!

I’ve become somewhat of a hermit -

It takes a lot to leave the house with a baby.  It’s more my than Max’s issue…which I fully acknowledge and accept.  However, this time RIGHT NOW is so precious that I want as much time at home as a little family as possible.  The rest can wait. or shove it.

I’ve lost my “give a sh…00t” (and it feeeeels so goooood)! -

I wear a different version of the same outfit everyday.  Yes, it’s a tank top and jeans.  okay jeans OR pj pants.  

I still wear grannie Mommy panties 6 weeks post c-section.

I do my hair every other day (and it mostly ends up in a ponytail).

At least one boob is out.  A lot.  Sometimes I even forget to put it away.

I still have a LONG way to go in the “getting my body back” department.  I’m not sweating it.  yet.  Slow and steady wins the race?

If you’re frumpy and you know it, clap your hands!  ::clap clap::

via here

I’m sure this is just the tip of the Motherhood Hypocrisy iceberg.  Oh well – I love being Max’s Mommy and I’m learning as I go.  

Acceptance is the first step, right?

Any Mommy moves that you swore you wouldn’t make…and then did to the fullest?  I won’t judge you, I swear.  Not anymore!

XOXO

p.s. 11 years – never forget.  

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 83° 

My parents, Scott, and I tackled the freezer meal situation last week.  As in – organized it, cleaned it out, and filled it to the brim with meals ready-to-go.

Success!!!

This is what we did…

First Mom and Dad made some meals of their own to freeze for themselves (they have A LOT of company headed their way in the next few months!) and then shared the wealth with us.  Thanks to them our freezer now has lasagna rolls, chicken madeira, bolognese sauce, and a gazillion meatballs (Mom made 100 or so…she’s incapable of just doubling a recipe – ha!).  That was an AWESOME start!

I had specific ideas of what else I wanted at my fingertips.  The garbage bread was already taken care of, but I wanted to tackle macaroni and cheese, turkey burgers, some crock pot recipes, cooked bacon & chicken for salads (or whatever), and blueberry muffins.  Mom and Dad came over for the day and we banged it all out (other than the muffins, I did those the next day).  I found the crock pot recipes on Pinterest (thanks for the tip, Heidi!) – terikyaki chicken, chicken enchiladas, and sausage & peppers.  Strawberries were also on sale, so we got some of those to freeze as well.

I am not at all saying that my freezer is full of the most nutritious and fat-free meals; instead I went for easy, filling, and yummy.  We organized everything by container/freezer bag, shelf, and bins – all labeled and ready to go.  I wrote the cooking directions on everything so it’s fool proof while I’m cooking through my eyelids.  We’re also ready for company (hello turkey burgers, thanks Christina!).

Look at the list that now lives on the side of the fridge…I am my parents’ daughter!

42ish meals later – I am ready for some easy meals on some maybe not so easy evenings.  Who else is excited?!

I’m embarrassed to say how excited I am that we now have bins in the freezer. WHAT…a dork.

In lieu of making this blog post ridiculously long, I am going to refrain from posting recipes.  However – if you want ‘em, I’ll share ‘em.  Ya just gotta ask!

This week, I’m going to make spicy Chex Mix, sweet Chex Mix (monkey munch or whatever people call it), and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I absolutely suggest doing this pre-baby, if you can.  I am so glad that this task is completed!  

How was everyone’s weekend?!  Week 38 post coming atcha tomorrow!

xoxo

p.s. I’m a die hard Bachelorette fan and was THRILLED with last night’s finale!  (I won’t spoil it, just in case you haven’t seen it yet!).  How about Emily saying that she wants to get married in CHARLESTON?!  LOVE IT!!!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 92° 

You voted for it -

You picked my favorite (16 votes outta 30)-

You get to see the result -

(it’s only right!)

*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

(Excuse my bra strap.  For the record, I won’t be wearing one.)  I present, me in my lovely hospital gown…

Doesn’t it look like I stuffed the gown with a big ol’ pillow or something?  Like that isn’t actually my belly?  SO BIG!

Scott was disappointed that it wasn’t smaller/fitted/red carpet ready.  I tried to explain that it’s still what I’ll deliver a baby in…and that it needs to be loose and comfy.

He sorta gets it. 

Maybe I’ll add a belt?

Ha!

Thanks for all of the votes, peeps!

I am going to balance out all of the blue with some hot pink fingers and toes. 

xoxo

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 92° 

Well – Chick-fil-A has done it again.  In love, I am.  All over again.

I had just completed my breastfeeding class and it was 8:30pm.  [I have seen enough boobs (on video and PowerPoint) for a while, thankyouverymuch.]  It’s the first class or anything really that I have gone to alone and it was just a very long day.  I had to pee (shocker) and was practically across the street from Chick-fil-A.  It was a no brainer…girlfriend needed an Icedream Cone.

I used the restroom and then ordered my small Icedream cone.  The nicer-than-nice gentlemen who took my order rang me up and then said words that are music to my ears – “That’ll be on the house tonight, ma’am.”

Say whaaaaat?

Where else?  Seriously?

I LOVE YOU CHICK-FIL-A.  The forever kinda love. ♥

(Not to mention homeboy hooked me up with a large!)

Ahhh.  The man saved me less than two dollars, but REALLY he saved my entire day.  =)

Next week we have Baby Boot Camp class – same time next week, Chick-fil-A?!

xoxo

p.s. Thanks for voting on my hospital gown.  Looks like the blue one is the winner!  I’ll model it for y’all when I get it!

Beach Count: 76 → The beach went well – 2 hours or less and baby & I are happy!

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 87°  

Today’s firsts all centered around this event…

Holy pregnant girl on a plane!

1. Getting a pat down at the airport (or anywhere for that matter!).  Awkward, but I chose to avoid radiating the baby while the health effects are still being studied.  TSA lady and I small-talked about her daughter getting induced tomorrow with her 2nd child (an oops, as the first is a mere 10 months old) while she respectfully felt up all my lady parts.  Good times had by all.

2. Wearing earplugs on a plane (Earplanes, specifically).  I hated every second of it (I HATE putting things in my ears), but I have to admit that my ears feel great.  I’m still getting over this stinkin’ cold, so I figured it’d be worth giving it a shot.  My Dad swears by these things!

3. Baby T. on a plane!…well sorta.  Let’s just say this – Baby T. either LOVED or HATED flying.  He/she was super active during take-offs and landings…all 4 of ‘em.  Like, beat.me.up active.  Hey – lots of movement is always better than no movement, right?!

This is only the beginning of the Firsts, my friend.  Check back tomorrow for my 31 week update!

xoxo

Beach Count: 75  

Pool Count: 29

High Temperature: 80°

NOW

I

GET

IT!!!

This is awesome if it’s true and should be a law in every country!

Happy almost Friday, kids!

p.s. I am excited about this forecast!  I see a pool AND a beach date in my very near future!!!

Beach Count: 75   

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 89° 

via here

GET TO STARBUCKS ASAP for their Frappuccio Happy Hour!!!  Get a half price Frappe between 3:00pm and 5:00pm and your taste buds will thank you.  This ends on May 15th, so hurry in and take advantage.

My Frappe count?  2 so far!  I have a date with a friend and her 3-week old on Friday.  His fav flavor is the newest Mocha Cookie Crumble…good taste

Enjoy.  You can thank me later!

What’s your favorite Frappuccio flavor?  

I switch it up during Happy Hour, but it’s usually Caramel!

p.s. Is it Friday yet???

Beach Count: 74   

Pool Count: 26 

High Temperature: 80° 

Don’t mind me or my awesome style choices over the years.  This isn’t about me, people!  Focus on Mom…and our many hair changes.

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY, MOM!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

A few things I noticed…

1. Dad likes yellow shirts (it’s okay – you look good in ‘em, Dad!)

2. This was really only a slideshow of the last 30 years/half of Mom’s life

3. I miss my waist

Seriously, 60 years old?  It can’t be true!

CAN’T WAIT TO CELEBRATE DOWNTOWN TONIGHT! XOXO

Beach Count: 73   

Pool Count: 25 

High Temperature: 85° 

Attention: There will be no B-word usage in this post.  I repeat – NO B-WORD!

Here are some gems on the internet that I am loving right now…

1. This Craigslist car ad is a-maz-ing.  You are sadly missing out if you don’t click to enlarge this puppy.

I have to assume that this car was sold, on humor alone.

2.  I’m a huge Jimmy Fallon fan.  Mostly because he’s hilarious, but also because he attended my alma mater – The College of Saint Rose (he was a few credits short of graduating, but earned an honorary degree in 2009).  Here are Jimmy Fallon and President Obama slow jamming the news!

3. This is way old (like January), but I am still obsessed with it and have been meaning to share it with you all forever.  I never knew how super, insanely cute Kristen Bell was!!!  I promise a serious cry-laugh situation.  Side Note: I relate to her emotional scale, like woah.

Second Side Note: Doesn’t my friend Talia look like Kristen Bell, kinda? (circa October 2009)

No, my hair wasn’t really that short…just very layered!

4. Today, Boeing rolled out the brand new 787 Dreamliner.  This sleek new airliner was built right here in North Charleston and it’s the very first ever to be unveiled.  It’s kind of a big deal.  It’s good for Charleston’s economy, morale, and overall future.  I mean, look at what’s written on the front of this ginormous piece of machinery  - “Made With Pride in South Carolina” with the SC flag and all.  Thank you, Boeing!!!

From ABC News 4

That’s all for now!  Scott and I are off to Blackbaud Stadium to watch a Charleston Battery game (soccer).  Let’s see if I manage to catch any of the game while busy making out with my extremely large and salty soft pretzel (that they better have)!  Beach tomorrow, then catching up with awesome friends at a BBQ.  Sunday – church and maybe Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival in Mount Pleasant?

What’s everyone up to this weekend?  Enjoy!!!  

p.s. No mention of the B-word throughout this entire post…I’m proud!

p.s.s. Have fun at TAP NY, friends (still my favorite beer festival ever).  We wish we could be there!!!

Beach Count: 72   

Pool Count: 24

High Temperature: 86°

Soooo…does anyone remember the rapper, D’Angelo, from like 1995?  Yeah, me neither.  Regardless, Scott and I talk about him when speaking of that crazy 6-packy stomach situation that no one I know has really ever sported.  Ya know, “the D’Angelo.”

Well, I now have the pregnant woman’s version of the D’Angelo.  I will NOT give too many details (and definitely not a picture of the bare belly), but I now have side definition like never before (minus the 6-pack, obviously).  Hilarious.  Here it is dressed.

I figure you may wanna see a belly pic other than the weekly photo, so here it is.  The shirt is a little big, but you get the idea!

Please excuse the after work, no makeup look

There it is – one big belly!

Weirdest belly realization thus far?  When you are trying to fit behind someone or something and you suck in your belly, although you can physically feel your muscles tighten, nothing happens.  You cannot suck in a baby belly.  SUCH a super strange feeling!!!

That’s the latest on my current belly situation.  Stay tuned!

p.s. In case you’re wondering, I AM that girl who touches and rubs their belly a lot.  Even in public.  Don’t judge unless you’ve been there!

p.s.s. I’m feeling some beach time in our very near future!!!

Beach Count: 67   

High Temperature: 84!°