A Trip to the Lake

It was a hot and sweaty weekend. We packed up our gear and left our 95 degree temps for the lake - where we had even warmer temps of about 110. We took Showdog III (our boat - the name, silly story) to Lake Mohave in Nevada.

We left bright and early at 5am (okay, more like 5:45am) on Friday. We carpooled with another family who have a 10 month old. Crammed like sardines - three across the front of the truck (the husbands and the wife), and me in the back with the babies, we headed off for our 5 hour trek. It went fairly smooth: babies cooperated, truck cooperated, we got breakfast at the Denny's with the slowest. service.....ever. We arrived in the small town outside of our destination and drove up to the motel (that title is even questionable) where the rest of the group (two other families) were staying. Upon looking at the rooms - I wished we were staying at a Motel 6. At least they leave the light on for you. And perhaps have windows that lock! So after much debating about should we stay or should we go now - we decided to stay. Our options were limited after all. There's not much within a close proximity and that's why this place manages to stay in business while charging $65 a night! $65 so I can fear my safety and wear flip-flops in the shower!

Okay, okay, enough about the skeezy motel. We finally launched the boat launched and got out on the water. Its about 2-ish at this point. And honestly, I'm done! Finished. Nothing left. Running on fumes.

Here's the recipe: Take only three hours of sleep (one day maybe I'll actually do my packing before the night before), mix that thoroughly with travel weariness, add a dash of motel drama, and a good heaping of pregnancy - allow to bake at 110 for about 1 hour and you will have a bonafide tired and cranky mommy.

So Friday wasn't exactly a blast for me. I chilled out roasted on the beach while counting down how long until I was going to get air conditioning and sleep.

Fortunately, as soon as my tired body hit the spring loaded, saggy mattress at the skeezy motel, I was out like a light. Almost 8 hours of sleep later, I felt like a new person - ready to hit the beach.

Saturday was much better - your typical day at the river. Lots of suntan lotion and lots of bottled water. The non-pregnant people rode the jet skis and inner tubes. I did venture out in my maternity swim suit (yee-haw) and played in the water with Grace. It was nice and relaxing.

Sunday we spent some more time out in the water before calling it a day to try to make it home by dinnertime. Of course dinnertime is relative - we didn't get home until almost 9pm. Why do trips home always seem so much longer? Without the anticipation of fun - we all just realized how hot, tired, and dirty we were, and how much work we have waiting for us at home! Actually, the trip home wasn't that bad - we chatted, laughed, cleaned up explosive diapers. An explosion that warranted removal of entire carseat for cleaning. That's my daughter - boy can she poop! But we all made it home safe and sound - albeit a little sunburned (no thanks to my suntan lotion).

So that was my weekend. Here's proof.

Playing in the "kiddie" pool

Singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Family Self-Portrait "Showdog III"

Dancing Machine

"She's a dance, dance, dance, dancing machine.
Watch her get down, watch her get down."

Meanwhile, we all stand around in a circle, "Go Gracie, Go Gracie."

Grace went through her first day of Dance Class for Tots. A better title would be Organized Chaos for Tots. Imagine 15 adorable (mostly) girls running around in pink (and purple) leotards to Lion King's "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". And then finish with a loud "RAWR".

The fact that they managed to do any sort of organized movement was impressive to me. Of course, Moms are all on hand to help guide their little ones.

Grace did.... okay. She was a little hesitant. She was fine until the music got loud and the teacher was talking over the music, and the little girls were yelling over the teacher and the music. Then it was a bit overwhelming for her. But when the music stopped, Grace was the first one to clap her little hands and yell "YAY!". As if she deserved all the applause for hiding behind Mommy's leg.

I didn't realize how fancy little leotards can get either. I went out and bought Grace the standard pink leotard. She wore it proudly with her little chubby legs hanging out. I thought she looked cute. But then we show up and there's skirts, and glitter, and tulle and hairbows galore. Poor plain Grace. I told Mr. D and his comment was "so next week you'll have a skirt for her then." Not necessarily. (Well, maybe).

No cameras were allowed in the studio, so I can only show Grace pre-dance class. I think she might need a skirt next week.

Clothes Shopping

I don't know what I wore during my last pregnancy. I must have worn the same three outfits over and over and over because that seems to be all I have in my closet. About a month ago I pulled out my maternity clothes from last time and gave them the once over. I realized a few were unfortunately already too small (thanks hips for spreading), some were too career-oriented since I had to work during my last pregnancy, and some were just downright hideous. (What was I thinking!?)

I had to make a few trips to Motherhood Maternity - in my opinion they have the best options and quality of clothes. Their prices are comparable to other known discount places like Target or Kohl's, but the clothes fit me better. So three trips later, I think I have a decent maternity wardrobe. I've learned to shop for the basics this time around and not fall for cute things (that will be hideous two years later) and things I may only wear for two months (anything somewhat fitted now will no longer fit by month eight or nine). So I have a couple pairs of capris that will match a handful of tops, throw in a couple dresses, and of course a pair of lounge pants and I'm good to go. I did buy a pair of shorts too - this staying at home all day forced me to it. It's been 150 degrees each day (okay, maybe only 95), but its hot and I still have the summer to get through.

I hated spending the money - I thought the second time around I would be so thrifty pulling out my old clothes and reusing them, but unless I wanted to sit around the house chasing a two-year old in long sleeves (again what was I thinking!?) and slacks, I needed to splurge.

This afternoon when I went shopping, I wised up though and brought my mom along. Thanks mom for buying one of the outfits for me. Aren't moms great! She watched my wild indian while I tried on clothes and then bought me some of them. In return all I had to do was bring dinner over.

When Did This Happen?

Sometime this past week I woke up pregnant. I went to bed knowing that I'm expecting and woke up showing that I'm expecting. Grace gets a kick out of lifting up my shirt and looking at my belly. Then she lifts up her shirt and looks at her belly. Our bellies are about comparable in fact.








Okay, so her belly is cuter. She doesn't need to rub it in.

All Swelled Up

I was a pretty good pregnant gal last time around. I didn't have many complaints. I worked practically up to the date (okay, a week before because my boss was a nervous-Nelly and practically kicked me out) and I never even had to take a sick day. I didn't suffer from some of the common complaints like heartburn and indigestion. I slept like a rock up until the night before Grace made her appearance.

In fact, I wish I could have a night's sleep now like I did when I was pregnant. I haven't slept like that since. Sigh. I miss that deep-sleep that ends when my body wants it to, not because a toddler is tapping on your leg. But, I digress.

However, this is not to share that I'm Super-Preggie or anything. I would say Fortunate-Preggie is more like it.

Actually in reality, I should have been called Sausage-Preggie. Seriously, while avoiding all the above mentioned ailments, I swelled up like one of those giant Mickey Mouse balloons from Disneyland. We're talking the huge ones that might sweep a kid away if he holds onto it without parental supervision.

I just about threw a party in my office when I managed to wiggle my wedding ring off around 7 months. It had been a source of concern for weeks. I had tried ice, butter, oil, soap, lotion all without success. I would tug and tug until my finger turned red and swelled up more. Finally, one morning in the restroom while washing my hands I managed to wiggle it off and it remained off until after the blessed baby arrived.

Shoes became a distant memory to me, much like my skinny jeans - which are now a memory fading into a oblivion. I hung onto my strappy sandals until they would leave crater-sized imprints on my feet. Then I was forced to wear flip-flops. To work. That was a low point. And, flip flops I had to buy a size bigger than my typically petite size 9 feet.

So the point of my swollen tales? It has already started. I'm barely five months and I've said aidios to my wedding ring. The moment it felt tight - the bad boy found its way into my jewelry box. And after surviving these last few days of record-breaking heat, I can feel the tell-tale tingling in my feet and up my ankles. So sexy, I know.

Well at least I can wear flip flops now in my new mommy job. And I still have the size 10 ones hiding in the back.

Things That Made Me Smile

So today started off a little disappointing. Mr. D was called into work 4 hours early today - 8am rather than Noon - and since he doesn't get off until 10pm or later, I wasn't going to see him much today (and also putting me on all-day Grace-duty!). It was a bummer - I thought we could have a nice, relaxing morning together (and maybe I could sneak in a bathroom cleaning while he played with Grace). But no, plans changed. And anyone who knows me, knows I don't always adapt immediately when plans change. I'm learning though. Some might call it maturing.

So I decided today rather than moan and groan, I would have a good day, and maybe even crack a smile. So I found some things that made me smile today.

* My daughter REQUESTING a nap. She usually goes down around noon, and today she was ready for it. I was on hold with Kaiser (for 30 minutes!) about a bill I received in error, and she was sitting on my lap. She would look at me, look at the phone, and then point upstairs. I finally got off (problem resolved - yay!) and I asked her if she wanted to take a nap. She said yes and off we went. Sweet.

* Getting that bathroom cleaned afterall. Plus the master bedroom and Grace's room.

* Enjoying a plate of nachos with jalapeno cheese (leftovers from our Father's Day get-together) while watching Gilmore Girls. Yes, I will admit it. I have a problem when it comes to this show. If I am available at 2pm during the week, I'm watching ABC Family. I call it my "lunch hour" break. There's probably a group for people like me - GGA (Gilmore Girls Anonymous). We come to break the habit of watching sappy shows about mom and daughters, but instead talk about who Lorelai should have been with - Luke or Christopher and how Logan was just not good enough for Rory, and catch up on all the pop-culture references we didn't get during their speedy conversations.

* My daughter's laughter while we sprayed Toby (the dog) with the hose.

* My daughter wearing a bowl on her head. Of her own choosing, I should add. (Bad picture due to camera phone!)

* Enjoying a nice homecooked meal with Grace while watching Toby play outside. Then, Grace asking for seconds on her salad. Lately she's on a salad-kick. She would always want some of mine (we typically have a small green salad with dinner), so I started making a small one for her, and to my surprise she eats it up. All it is consists of is romaine lettuce with a little Italian dressing. Today she ate it all up and then asked for more. I didn't know that 2-year olds eat salad.

*Oh, and having the following conversation with Grace probably about 50 times today:
Grace: Da-Da? (Interpretation: Where's Dad?)
Mom: Daddy's at work.
Grace: Oh-No!

That would be the end of the conversation until something else reminded her of Da-Da and we'd go through it over again - verbatim.

So I found quite a few things to smile at today - not including the obvious ones like I have a great family with a wonderful husband; blessed beyond belief with our house and the fact I don't have to work; our health; a new baby on the way. It makes the little unplanned things of life seem so unimportant.

Gratuitous Grace Gallery

So I really haven't had many gratuitous Gracie photo galleries lately. Don't you admire my restraint? Actually its probably more laziness on my part. I was so good at capturing her every move at first - well, the non-moves that is, but lately keeping up with her is enough work.

So I kept the camera nearby and captured a few of her numerous moves. Come, spend some of your day with Grace.

Potty Time... for the baby. Grace disappeared into the bathroom and I found her with her stripped down dolly on the potty.









Then she smiled for me. Thanks to Daddy for teaching her how to "smile".



Time for some art appreciation.



But wait, there's a phone call now.


Really, Mom, this is private.


And, we're done!



I couldn't resist sneaking in and getting the sleeping Grace. I risked waking the sleeping giant princess for the sake of capturing her in peace and quiet. I had to resist blowing a raspberry on that belly sticking out!