Little Boy Bean

Finally. . .

After 16 posts I get a day off from blogging to deliver a beautiful baby boy. It was a long day but well worth the wait.

I am thinking of calling him QT on this blog, first of all because those are his initials and second of all because he is a cutie.

The Ladies already love him, although the Lady, like her mother was very surprised that he was a boy. I am glad to say that her response to "What will will do if it is a boy?" which was "I won't like it" doesn't appear to be the case. And the Little Lady, well all the Little Lady wants to do is hold "her baby." We will see how this all works out once we actually get home.

Here are a few pics.

Before the boy was born

QT

Just hanging out

The Little Lady and her baby

The Lady, her dad and her baby brother

Note there are no photos of me. There were some taken, but my face is so swollen it just looks sad!

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 16: Short and Sweet

Trying to get my act together here so I will keep this short and sweet.

Still no baby.

iPhone died around 1:30 this afternoon when I had the Wild Man and the Lady at the park, and I had no idea how to reset it. (Hormonal fueled panic ensued)

Had to bring the Lady to her dress rehearsal for her dance recital on Sunday and was very excited to see her so excited about performing. Getting the costume didn't hurt either.

Couldn't get in touch with my husband since I had no phone--always great when he shows up an hour later than usual. The only good thing is that he had called Apple and was able to reset the phone. (It is both buttons--not just the one on the top or the one on the bottom--both buttons!)

The Ladies are in the tub and I am hoping for an early bedtime.

My schedule for the rest of the night is Store, So You Think You Can Dance, Sleep, Baby?

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 15: Signs

This morning my pants split.

I was doing some sort of half crouch-squat move trying to pick up something off the floor and the fabric just had had enough. It didn't split up the back but down the crotch exposing my new cotton undies and leaving me feeling pretty sure that the universe was sending me a sign that this pregnancy should end.

To make matters worse, these were one of two pairs of my "casual" pants that I have been wearing pretty much non stop for the last week or so and have to have my husband tie the little strings on the bottom because, clearly I cannot bend over.

Then a bird pooped on my windshield narrowly missing me. I know it is supposed to be good luck for a bird to poop on you but I am glad it missed me because I don't know if I could have gone home and found anything else to wear to work today. Luckily, it just hit Minnie-Ru (which is what I have named our mini-van--yes, I came up with a name for her and am still not 100% sold on our choice if this kid is a girl), so I took that as a second sign that good things would be happening.

Finally, as I pulled up to the bagel store to grab something quick for breakfast since I haven't been food shopping in over a week, I heard U2's "The City of Blinding Lights" on the radio, which is the song that was playing when I first held the Lady almost 4 years ago. It reminded me to be a bit more patient because soon enough I will be holding this baby in my arms as well. Don't ask me what song was playing when the Little Lady was born, eventually I will just randomly pick one off the playlist that was on in the background and claim it to be true, but her birth was so quick it was kind of a blur. There is a possibility it was "Stronger" by Kayne that or a Dylan song.

So even though there aren't any real physical signs that this baby is showing up today, I am pretty sure it will have to happen soon. I mean how much longer can I patiently wait without having some sort of hormonal infused breakdown where I pound the floor with my fists and start burning maternity clothes?

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 14: I Got Nothing

Seriously, nothing is happening. Went to the doctor today and there hasn't been any change since last week. I could check myself into the hospital at some point this week but for right now we are on a wait and see type of schedule.

I guess I will actually go to work tomorrow. I mean the sitter is coming and I have already cleaned the house for her. In an ideal world, I would be going into labor as my husband pulls into the driveway tonight and we would be on our way, but alas, this babe has other plans.

The good news is I picked up a new nursing tank. Oh, can't wait to stuff my engorged breasts into those for a few months. I also picked up some new cotton undies. Tried to get some cute looking ones to make me feel better about getting them at Target and not Victoria Secret, but somehow I don't think it is really going to do the trick.

So sorry for the lame post my energy is lacking as is any sort of creative spark. Just hoping this kid arrives soon so that I actually have some news for you all.

Thanks for checking in on me every day. You guys have been amazing.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 13: Glitter Be Gone

I promise you all out there if I ever bring you a gift that is covered in or includes glitter, you can buy my children the loudest, brightest most annoying toys out there in return.

In all seriousness--Do. Not. Bring. More. Glitter. Into. This. House.

We have a princess coloring book that is a "color wonder" product. What this means is that you can only use specific markers on the paper provided and these markers will not color on other paper or your bedspread, your kitchen table or your terribly inappropriate white couches. However, each piece of paper is also covered with what I can only describe as an excessive amount of glitter.

The Ladies of course love this craft.

They played with it in their room the other morning and since then I have found glitter on the Little Lady's eyebrows and in her diaper. The Lady, since she still runs around in just undies in the house, has it all over her belly and her legs. The bottom of both their feet look like a disco ball and since they love to spend so much time in my bed, my sheets are starting to sparkle.

Yesterday morning, my husband drove us down to my sisters to help us pack up the mini-van so we could get everyone out to LI. When I sat down in the passenger seat next to him and looked over at his face I couldn't believe the amount of glitter that was in his hair on on the side of his face. His ear was covered, he literally looked like he had been ear-fucked by a glitter fairy. That, or he had somehow made his way out to some all night rave. I had to check out the Little Lady's crib to make sure none of her pacifiers were missing (yes, I know she is almost two and still uses a paci, but it is only for naps and nighttime and right now I am not willing to try to wean her off when we will be introducing another person into her life.) Turns out they were all accounted for, and he had just been involved in some early morning craft time with the Ladies.

The vacuum has come out, but it doesn't seem to be able to get the whole job done. I am pretty sure that the new baby will be exposed to a glitter boob or two in the first few days of its life (that is if he or she finally decides to show up soon!)

Stay tuned and for the love of god do not bring us any glitter encrusted baby gifts!

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 12: Too Tired to Title This One!

Still blogging. . .

We had a very busy weekend so far. I made it to the wedding and we had a wonderful time. My cousin had a great day to get married and I was glad I was there to be a part of it.

We got home pretty late, I was pretty sure I was going into labor on the way home between the extreme driving my husband was doing and the amount of potholes that lined the roads.

We packed up the mini-van this morning with the Ladies and the Wild Ones and we headed back to LI to spend a little more time with the fam and to give them all the opportunity to soak in what spending a few hours with the four kids really means. I was grateful that I was able to go.

We will see what the rest of the weekend brings (hopefully, baby number three!)

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 11: Mobile Blogging

Sitting in traffic heading to Strong Island for my cousin's wedding. My sister and I are flying solo to the ceremony because of our significant others work commitments. I am sure their 5:00 departure time on a Friday afternoon will get them to the reception on time.

Obviously there is no babe. Best case scenario is that I go into labor on the way home and this kid pops out sometime in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Perhaps I will post a few photos of me tearing up the dance floor. Stay tuned.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 10: Due Date

Due Date, released in 2010 is a dark bromance/cross-country adventure that pairs the likes of Robert Downey, Jr as father-to-be Peter Highman who through a series of misfortunes and coincidence has to drive cross country with Zach Galifianakis, as aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay in order to make it home for his child's birth.

Oh, I'm sorry, were you not looking for a review of the movie Due Date? I was prepared to do a scene-by-scene breakdown of the movie for you today. I figured it would keep me busy, keep you informed and distract me from the fact that today is my actual due date and it doesn't look like this baby is arriving.

I have to say I had high hopes. I know that it is super unusual to actually drop out a kid on your due date, but at 3am last night I was thinking it might happen. It would have been perfect, we could have gotten to the hospital without any traffic, the sitter would be coming in the morning for the Ladies, I could have been waiting out this heat wave in the "comfort" of an ac'd hospital room and not have to worry about how fat my feet were getting and I could finally stop wearing the same black shirt.

Oh, well. Looks like I will be shoving my body into the maternity dress my best friend wore to my wedding six years ago and heading out to see my cousin get married tomorrow. I will say I am grateful for the opportunity to see my family so if the baby isn't going to show up on its due date, I am hopeful it can at least wait until Saturday!

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 9: Staying Cool at the Pool

We had a busy day today. Started out early at the acupuncturist--have I mentioned I love this woman? I left there with some ear tags that are supposed to stimulate the uterus and the Ladies left with stickers. I thought it was a pretty good start to our day.

We hit up a Moms Club meeting/playdate and then stopped home to pick up our bathing suits and headed down to hang with the Wild Ones.

To say that setting up a backyard pool and allowing any of these children access to a garden hose is not the best idea in the world is an understatement. There was a lot of mud and splashing, but they had a great time and kept cool.

The Little Lady and the Wild Woman

The Lady. The Wild Woman was busy blowing bubbles (that is her little butt in the blue and white suit at the bottom) and the Wild Man wasn't too sure about the temp of the pool.

We ended the day with four relatively well behaved children at a restaurant with my sister and my parents, my hubby threw them in the tub when we got home and they are now quiet in their beds.

I am planning the rest of my weekend with no expectations that this baby will show up. We will see.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 8: Post 8--UGH!

Post 8 and no baby!

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised considering that my due date isn't even until Thursday, but in all honesty the reason I don't blog every day is because it isn't like my life is that exciting and as cute and funny as the Ladies are, there are some days that are blog worthy and others that are not.

I could tell you about sitting in the bathroom last night at nine o'clock with the Little Lady on the froggy potty, ordering me to sit down on the toilet, while she closes the door and asks for privacy, then gives me a play-by-play of her bodily functions. I mean it is pretty cute when she tells you she "tooted" and then laughs hysterically, what is kind of weird is when she describes her poop as a "banana poopie" and then the Lady tries to check it out when the Little Lady is clearly still sitting on the potty. I swear, if that girl does not start putting her hair back I am going to lose it. It is almost down to her butt!

I could tell you that I googled "bloody show" today. I wasn't prepared for there to be images.

I could tell you that we still aren't 100% on our girls name and that there is a real possiblity the legal name of this child, if female, will be "Last Lady" or LL.

I could go into great detail about the anxiety and uncertainty I am feeling about bringing another human being into this world, or we could simply discuss Weinergate or Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.

But for now, I am happy to just get a post up. It means I am one day closer to the end of this pregnancy and one post closer to blogging about spit-up, cracked nipples and squirt bottles.

One More Thing. . .

My dear readers,

Just as an FYI, I have partnered up with Moms/Daily Buzz, which is a place you can all go to to get your hit of mom blogs. One of my BADTB posts was featured here last week.  http://moms.dailybuzz.com/quiet-time

Check out the site and "like" the post if you want. I am always looking for new readers!

This partnership does mean that there might be some ads coming to the Three Bean, but I assure you that things will remain pretty much the same, you know a lot of talk about babies, boobs and balance.

Thanks to all of you for reading.

Bean

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 7: My Ladies

I went to the Dr. this morning and things seem to be moving in the right direction. I am not going to get into the induction conversation I had with her due to her son's med school graduation on Friday, but I will say that I hoping this kid decides to get here soon or just not show its face until after the weekend. We have things scheduled in our lives as well this week, so I am leaving it at that. Next week might be a different story, but until then we are choosing to wait it out.

In the meantime please take a good hard look at the outfit the Little Lady chose to wear today. She looks like an European tourist at Disney World. She is wearing a hand-me-down long-sleeved (yes it is like 85 out there) Buzz Lightyear shirt from the Wild Man, yellow short-shorts (seriously--can't they make shorts for little girls that aren't riding up their ass?) a pair of trumpette socks with the faux Mary Jane style sewn in and a pair of pink sandals that she pulled out of a donation bag a couple of weeks ago and insists on wearing. 

I have to applaud her on her Independence and originality and in all honesty I would actually be pretty OK with this outfit if her hair was just out of her face!

And here is the Lady on the other side of the easel in her romper and sparkle shoes striking her model pose.

I am trying to make sure that I am taking advantage of the time I have with the two of them before this baby arrives. I also want them to know that mismatched socks and sandals and sparkle shoes with a fake smile are the little things in my life that not only make my day, but make me realize how much I love them both.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 6: Mommy Wants a Muumuu

From The Simpsons: King-Size Homer

Homer: I'm looking for something loose and billowy, something comfortable for my first day of work.

Salesman: Work, huh? Let me guess. Computer programmer, computer magazine columnist, something with computers?

Homer: Well, I use a computer.

Salesman: [quietly, to self] Yeah, what's the connection? Must be the non-stop sitting and snacking.[more audibly] Well, sir, many of our clients find pants confining, so we offer a range of alternatives for the ample gentleman: ponchos, muumuus, capes, jumpsuits, unisheets, muslim body rolls, academic and judicial robes --

Homer: I don't want to look like a weirdo. I'll just go with a muumuu.

**********

I too, don't want to look like a weirdo and am thinking that at this point a muumuu is my only option in terms of comfortable, last days of pregnancy wear.

The weather is warm, and the long sleeve shirts and cardigans I have been sporting for the last nine months aren't cutting it in this weather. Granted, I was pregnant in the summer with both the Ladies, but after wearing those clothes through two pregnancies, I found that most of them were stained and kind of tattered and I figured that I would get a few more things as I got closer to my due date.

However, I am literally down to two pairs of "casual" pants, one at least is full paneled so that I am not too worried that my actual stomach is hanging out, the other pair is low paneled but I like them better so I have to deal with the daily dilemma of of pulling my shirt down low enough to make sure my stomach isn't poking through, but then risking the exposure of some serious boob salad. It is a catch-22 that I think could be easily solved with a multi-colored muumuu or perhaps a king-size bed sheet.

Luckily, I have a very best friend who showed up to dinner the other night with some yoga pants from Old Navy to wear post-pregnancy (oh yes, Old Navy you have roped me in again--did I mention that I actual went out and bought another pair of smelly jellies? This time for the Little Lady, who loves them just as much as her sister does) and I have been able to mix those into my casual pants wear, but the t-shirt selection is still pretty small. I did buy a full coverage t-shirt from Target last weekend, but decided it wasn't worth it to buy more than one because I was so close to my due date (seriously kid--come out soon!) so now I am just washing said black t-shirt almost every day in an attempt to make sure I don't have to do the belly vs. boob face off and hoping that the baby shows up soon so that I can start wearing my nursing bra/tank-top/yoga pants/beach dresses summer wardrobe that I am hoping will get me through the next few months.

But until that moment when this baby finally shows its little face it's the muumuu that momma wants, I mean really who wants to look like a weirdo?

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 5: What a Difference 6 Years Makes

I am pretty sure I posted this pic last year, but I like the way I look and this is my blog, so there!

Six years ago at this time I was sitting in a bridal suite with my husband waiting to be "announced" before our wedding reception at a beautiful waterside locale with all my friends and family.

Right now, I am sitting at my computer with the only dress large enough to drape over my swollen body, my hair soaking wet, having just cleaned up the Ladies dinner and trying to squeeze this blog post in before the sitter arrives at 6:15.

I will say, I am grateful that my hubby and I are going out. It has been a while since we have gone on an actual date night and once this kid comes I will miss our weekly lunch dates during the workday, so forgive me if this post is short.

I would like to thank my husband for the last six years of marriage, for giving me the two Ladies and for the one on the way. I guess I am hoping that this kid decides not to make its appearance this evening (or at least until after midnight so we don't have to share celebrations and I get extra time in the hospital.)

I am not sure what is still left to do. I scrubbed the toilets today, we cleaned and organized, everything is ready to go for this evening and my bag is now officially packed with toiletries and the iPod.

I guess I will go out with my husband, celebrate our anniversary and be grateful for the wonderful things we do have in our lives.

The view!

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 4: Getting Ready

I know it's late.

Perhaps some of you were hoping that because I didn't post earlier that maybe this baby decided to show itself. I too, was hoping the same thing. Yet, I find myself at 8pm the Ladies in bed but not sleeping, my husband marvelling at the power of Scrubbing Bubbles as he cleans the tub (hey, I can't reach in those corners or bend over to scrub the floor), posting again.

I will say that today was a good day. I am not sure how many of you are actually familiar with the "Fresh Beat Band" but there songs have permeated my life in a way that is totally unnatural. I find myself singing "It was a great day, the very best day. . . " in the shower in the morning, during my late night bathroom breaks and I apologize but I am at a loss for any other literary inspiration and will simply say again we had a good day.

My to-do list is getting smaller,which makes me less anxious about not being prepared for this kid. The Lady was invited over for a playdate and the Little Lady and I were able to get a lot of errands done, including going through the new drive-through pharmacy, which is just so amazing, as you might recall some of our earlier attempts to get prescriptions filled.

The best part about the whole day was that my husband came home from work early and I was able to take a nap. Granted, I could hear the Ladies in their room above me, jumping on the bed, spilling out toys and doling out abuse towards each other, but it was a nap. A real nap.

Tonight, I think I might finally watch "Twilight," which has been DVR'd for about 6 months and then try to get to the last few things on my list tomorrow.

Oh, and the bag is packed, there is no car seat in the car, but we are getting there.

Off to check on the Ladies. I can hear the Lady playing with her glow-in-the-dark drumsticks.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby (BADTB) Post 3: Momma Got Some "Me Time"

Today was the Lady's last day of school. Let me just pause here and get a little emotional. I mean, my first-born finished her first year of nursery school and I am grateful for all the wonderful experiences she has had this year. Although I am glad we won't have to rush to get ready to get out of the house (at least until she goes to her summer program in July), it would have been nice to have her in class for a couple more weeks or at least until after the baby is born! But to celebrate the occasion and to make sure I got to the end-of-the-year party at the playground, I decided to take the morning off from work.

It just made sense, by the time I dropped her off and got into the office I would only have a little over an hour or so before I had to head back out to pick her up. So, with no feelings of guilt (mommy or other), I kissed the Lady goodbye, hauled my fat ass into the drivers seat of the mini-van (seriously, I think I need a step stool to get up into that thing these days) and went and got my nails done. Did I mention it is beautiful here today? I mean the oppressive 85-90 degree heat we have had for the last few days is finally over and there is a day out there that can only be described as glorious. I think it would be a perfect day to deliver a baby--but apparently I am not in control at this point.

Anyway, I settled myself into that pedicure chair with a health and fitness magazine filled with exercises I have no intention of ever trying and advice from Gwyneth Paltrow who lives in her own little fantasy world of how actual people conduct their everyday lives and let that lovely pedicurist rub my fat feet into a state of bliss. Now, I would be lying to you if I didn't admit that I have heard that having a pedi can sometimes induce labor as well--some reflexology thing, but that wasn't the main reason I was there. Mostly, I was just trying to salvage a few minutes for myself without having to worry about any one else. The best part about it was that I had a g.c. from my brother and sister-in-law so the not only was my time guilt-free it was actually free.

And then it just got better when some other lovely lady asked if I wanted a massage as I got my nails done. Yes. Please. Seriously, just beat my back like you are trying to tenderize meat. What a difference an hour to yourself with a stranger rubbing your back makes.

I then spent the rest of my morning roaming the aisles at CVS, drinking an iced coffee and checking e-mail while I sat in the van with the windows down and didn't have to worry about Strawberry Shortcake or whether or not the Little Lady would actually be "jumping in" to her carseat.

I tell you people sometimes it is just the little things, a mani-pedi, a jaunt through CVS, two-hours of "So You Think You Can Dance" audition shows on a Wednesday night with my grossly inflated feet in an elevated position and the Ladies in bed that make me think I might be able to handle all the changes that are about to come my way.

I am a new woman with painted toes ready for a new baby--let's hope it happens quickly.

Blog A Day 'Til Baby Comes (BADTB) Post 2: Momma's Got the Fat Feet, The Ladies Never Listen All Day

It has been a long, hot day. My feet are looking pretty Barney Rubblish. My husband told me last night that he didn't think they were that bad. I would just like everyone to know that he did not marry a woman with fat feet. I guess it is better that this is happening during the last week or so of pregnancy and not the last month or so, like it did for both of the Ladies.

This is what my feet look like.

The Little Lady and I have been out of the house for most of the day since we dropped the Lady off for her second to last day of school.

We ran a few errands including the bank, Dunkies (obviously), dropping off a health form at the doctor's office for the Lady's summer school program and hit up the acupuncturist. I could kiss that woman on the mouth. She is just so amazingly nice and in addition to pushing those needles in tighter now that I am closer to my due date, she also gave me some herbal remedies to get things started. We will see how it goes. I am willing to try anything at this point.

There were highs and lows to most of the day. The Little Lady took an early nap, which was a high considering that we had afternoon plans that could have been very hairy if she skipped a nap (well, it was still a little hairy, but not as bad as it could have been.) However, she will not just get into the carseat and sit. She insists on "jumping in" the seat herself, which is a ploy to sneak either into the way back or the front passenger seat, only after she has pushed the button to close the automatic sliding door. Normally, this wouldn't be that big of a deal, but my belly is too big to squeeze into the more confined spaces of the mini-van and I end up yelling at her while she laughs at me from an unreachable distance. Ugh.

Both Ladies were pretty well behaved at the sibling tour at the hospital though. We were there with three other very preggo moms who each had two other kids. To say it was a bit overwhelming might be an understatement, but the kids watched a silly video, we got to see a very sweet and tiny newborn and everyone left with crayons.

Unfortunately, we had to go straight from there to my doctors appointment. I never take the Ladies to anything where there is a waiting room involved if I can help it. The Little Lady was great at the acupuncturist in the morning but we were only there for about 40 minutes and she sat very quietly in the stroller, and was also able to play with some of the toys they have there. The wait at the OB/GYN didn't go as smoothly. It consisted of me bribing them with two Dum-Dum lollipops each and the promise of DQ after the visit. None of which did anything to stop them from trying to open the cabinet with the used "instruments" in it, jumping on the scale and having me have to get up (pants less) from the table to bring them to the bathroom (yes, I put my pants back on for that) and corral them into submission.

Finally the doctor came in. The Ladies were able to hear the baby' heartbeat and although it seems like things might be moving in the right direction (I will spare you the jargon that includes the word "softening"), nothing is really happening at this point, so it looks like I will be taking herbal remedies and blogging yet another day.