a good landing spot

The Willy Wonka blueberry girl; Aunt Petunia that Harry Potter blows up into a helium balloon; a sumo wressler. Pick a card, any card - that's what I'm feeling like today. Large. I thought about designing an XXL clothing sticker and sticking it to my belly for these last three weeks...just to see if Jonathan notices. I'm sure Avery would love it- belly being right at her eye level and all, and with a new fanatic love of stickers.

Avery came with me to my 36-week doctors appointment this morning, and when they got out the "magic wand" to hear the baby's heartbeat she says, "Mama! Mama! I hear pony! Fast pony!"

I'm starting to think she's going to be extremely disappointed. Instead, she gets a crying baby that takes up more of my attention. I'm thinking that this baby could give her a stuffed pony as a gift when she comes to meet him at the hospital. Ya know, meet her half-way at least.

That stork that left the station many many months ago has got to be pretty exhausted by now. And, I'm keepin' a lookout for a good landing spot.

and I hope she never changes

Avery met Santa today, for the second time. Granted, she doesn't remember the first time, but something makes me think she'll remember this one. (The strange man with un-kept white fluffy hair grabbing at me with white gloves, asking me to sit on his lap?) Yeah- she wasn't having any of it. And, a parent can only really be proud of a child for not gravitating toward such strangers, right? We did get one shot of her sitting on my lap, while she was so very distracted with Santa's helper/camera dude shaking jingle bells above the lens. I cut myself out of course because I looked like what a mom looks like after waiting in line for 20 minutes while trying to keep a 2-year old entertained long enough without crying, pulling out her cute sparkly hair clips, or throwing her goldfish at other people.

I have to say, at this stage in my 36-week pregnancy number two, I am spent. Avery is far too heavy for me to hold. But, I just love to hold her. I keep thinking that once this new baby comes, she won't be my baby anymore. She's going to be my older girl. It's hard to let go of that; especially when she looks at me and says "Mama, hold you hold me." My heart melts. I'm just really hoping that she takes a lot of joy out of helping me care for this new little boy. She is definitely a care-taker at heart: strolling around her baby doll, wrapping up her animals in blankets to go nigh-night, changing her puppy dog's diaper, and patting my back when I'm hurt or crying. She's definitely going to grow up a little with such responsibilities of being a big sister, and of eventually paving the way for all of our future kids in the house. I can't wait to see the girl she becomes. She's so feisty, and creative, and independent. And, I hope she never changes.

happy ween!

Halloween was actually a lot of fun this year. I think Avery was old enough this time to actually participate in the slimy pumpkin dissecting, looked cute as can be in her baby strawberry get-up, and loved going up to peoples' houses to ring the doorbell. To her disappointment, she just didn't quite understand why she couldn't actually GO into everyones houses. I guess this makes much more sense when you really think about it. Walk up to every door, ring the door bell, get them to answer, and then....just walk away?

What they say about living childhood over again through your own kids it totally true. I have to admit that Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays. Don't get me wrong- it's fun an all, but if I had to choose between all of the other holidays, it wouldn't make the top 3. This is probably due to growing up in Anchorage. By Halloween, we always had tons of snow already, and most of the time you had to plan your costume around wearing a big puffy snowsuit or coat. So, no cute skinny little snow whites or pincesses for us. It was either the obvious round pumpkin, or a fat witch. The latter of which is no good, in any situation. Having said that, Avery is making me like Halloween much more now.

This year, due to Halloween, Avery has learned the following words:

sly-mee
boo!
caaan-dee
choc-it
happy ween!
frick o freet
vitch
skair-ey

Dana also sent me the cutest black t-shirt to showcase little man in the belly. Can't quite believe we'll have 2 to dress up this time next year!

Click here for all Halloween pics. Password: Finch

my little pony

Ponies are the new thing. Of the year. For Avery, that is. She is obsessed! And, I'm actually loving her new-found obsessions with things. It reminds me of myself going through phases of tufted furniture or all things turquoise, or anything cupcakes

She is at such a fun age where Jonathan and I can tell her stories, and she actually remembers them later on. "Remember when you got to ride a pony at the zoo?" Her face lights up, and she immediately says, "Again! Again, dadda! Poe Ey! Again!"

That's why I know she'll be perfectly smitten with her new big girl bedding...

Here is our newest equestrian:

avery taylor's annual report

Just one year late, I have finally put together Avery's annual report poster that I have been thinking of doing for so long. For me, it acts as a much more functional baby book- visually reporting her milestones, special 'firsts', and specifics concerning her first year. I'm pretty excited to have the template done, and can't wait to have a wall for all of the framed posters once we have collected all of our children. Hee...collected.

I'm mostly certain that this is just a small bi-product of my "nesting" for baby bird #2. Hey- whatever gets things done these days is fine with me and my bigger-than-need-be-at-24weeks-belly!

the drive thru

Never have I ever truly appreciated the convenience of a drive thru until having a kid. There are so many more times than I would like to admit to where I am still in my pajamas, Avery is still in her pajamas, and we are out making a quick stop for coffee or food. You know mom needs her coffee in the morning when Avery knows the drill all too well:

Avery: "Mama...Coff...Hot!"
Me: "Yes my baby. Very hot. Can you say mmmmmm?"
Avery: (With a smile) "MMMmmmmm mama"
Me: "Now that mama got her coffee, how about we get my baby some pancakes and hashbrown?"
Avery: "MMmKay. Mamma! mamma!...I like cakes."
Me: "Mmmmmm. Me tooo. Yumm."
Avery: (With a giggle) "Yummm"

All are happy...having never left the car seat. Love!

the update

Time is a flyin'. Here's the update...

I'm 16 weeks along with baby bird number 2, we are renovating bathrooms, repairing the deck, re-constructing our entire backyard landscape, test-driving minivans, and traveling galore. Only a few things on the plate at a time. We are back into full-blown nesting mode, and I am loving all of the projects!

Avery is 18 months old, going on 10 years. She is now in the 99th percentile for height, and pediatrician says she is very advanced for her age. Ah, isn't that what all parents want to hear of their kids. I'm sure they believe it, even if it's not said. I'm attributing her said advanced self to her height and long hair.

Exhibit A: Height. I don't really notice how tall she is until she's around kids her own age, and is then a whole head above them. This allows her to climb on top of more stuff, and to grab more things she shouldn't be getting into. Thus, she probably explores more. She's already gone through the bumping her head on things and has learned the skill of "ducking" before all of the other kids have grown tall enough to hit their heads.

Exhibit B: Long Hair. She's always had crazy long hair. Since birth really. She's had over a dozen hair-cuts, and now requires either a braid or pony tail to keep the strands out of her face, and mouth. With the long hair, people have always thought she was older, and treated her such. I can recount plenty of times pre-8-months-old when people would come up to her stroller and ask her what her name was. She would just stare back as mom answers for her.

Armed with these valiant tools, she has certainly grown into a little person with definite opinions and attitudes, and for lack of a better words, knows exactly what and how she wants things. Her dad often tells me, "Hmmm, mom- wonder where she got that from?" I'm so proud.

This weekend also marks Jonathan and I's 3rd anniversary. 3 years, and 1.5 babies. Craziness to me.

I'm trying to figure out Avery's big-girl room decor & furniture, we will find out whether baby #2 is a boy or girl in a few weeks, and I'm trying to get Christmas shopping already under-way. Things are so busy, and I'm trying to remember to record all of the chaos along the way.

Amidst the contractors coming in and out of the house, Avery cranky and ready to go down for a nap, the phone ringing, and the power going out, Jonathan says, "Don't you think we should get a dog soon?" Sure. Why not?

products to live by/with: part 1.

My friend Heather inspired me with her latest post about some of her favorite products that have either made her life easier, and or better. It got me thinking...

I have to admit, I am an extremely loyal brand consumer. If I find a product or service I like, I tell everyone about it...to the point where I think that, in some cases, I should be receiving annual checks for promotional services rendered. I like to think of it as my own personal "Favorite Things" show. Here ya have it:

1. Dove body wash. I never used to like any body wash that had even a hint of oil in it- so I just stuck with things like Zest soap that left your skin so rubbery-clean. Now, I love pretty much anything Dove. Whenever I use it, Jonathan always asks, “What smells so fresh and clean?” Can't complain with that.

2. Waverly fabric drawer organizers. I usually find them at TJMaxx or Marshalls. They make alllllllll of my drawers in every bathroom, junk drawer in the kitchen, office desk drawers, and even car console look extra cute, and really help to keep clutter under control. They also have pretty fabric boxes w/ lids that I use for storage boxes in hallway closets (light bulbs) and kids closets (grown-out-of sizes).

3. Naked by Urban Decay eye shadow case. I didn't really ever even wear eye shadow all that much, but my sister bought it for me and in only a very short amount of time, I have come to love the everyday normal and nude colors, and the smooth smooth brush. It also comes in a pretty magnetic case that is easy to manage. No issues trying to get the brush out, or cracking shadow powders or cheap plastic cases to crack. Thanks, Dana!

4. Summer infant baby video monitor. This is by far my couldn't-live-without baby product. Peace of mind all the way. And, I'm excited to just buy another camera for when the new baby arrives. You can use the same monitor and simply flip from cam 1 to cam 2. I still have friends with the sound-only monitors and wonder how they do it. It almost feels like the difference between a VHS/cassette tape and a DVD/MP3 file to me now...if that makes any sense.

5. Pottery Barn king down pillows. I think I made the switch when we finally got a king bed, and I decided that I was going to splurge for extra-nice pillows, sheets, and a duvet. It's one of those one-time purchases that keeps on giving. I still love getting into bed and laying my head down on such a comfortable cloud. Every night.

6. MyPublisher.com. It's an online site for making gorgeous photo books. And, it couldn't be simpler! Just upload your pics, drag and drop where you want, and order a book. I can't think of how many people I have introduced to their site. I was sick of taking so many pictures and having them sit on the computer... a file that never gets seen. I have started to make a book per kid, per year of their life, and hope to eventually give each of them a custom box filled with 18 books when they graduate high school and are off on their own. I am also making a copy for me, to keep at home.

7. iMemories. While we are on the subject of websites, this one digitalized your old video tapes/reels/you-name-it, into an awesome DVD with easy-to-navigate chapters. I also love that the chapters viewable on the TV appear in small boxes that are individually moving. Reminds me of the moving pictures in a Harry Potter newspaper.

8. Retract-A-Gates. These are soft mesh gates that keep kids and pets in/out of where you want them to be. I grew up with the wooden, clunky child gates that took up space and made for somewhat of an eyesore. Retract-A-Gates only have a thin tube that is adhered to the wall and 2 clear hooks adhered to the opposite wall. Love!

More to come. Back to being mom.

round 2.

I think it's about as official as it's going to get: Nausea in the mornings, peeing all night long, wild and crazy dreams, beer-belly pooch, and annoyingly-constant hunger (hense the belly pooch). And, if you ask Jonathan, he would probably attest to the early arrival of mama Finch's new 'nesting' ideas.

That's right- baby chick #2 is on the way! The stork has most likely just left the station, and grumbling to himself what for 7 more long months of flying time.

This time around is actually (dear I say) a little more fun so far. It's all of the joy and anticipation and thoughts of boy or girl, and big sister Avery, and nursery re-arranging, and big-girl bed planning, and name selecting MINUS all of the necessary first-time large purchases, stresses, new-ness and unknowns. I'm also constantly thinking about how Avery's world is going to be changed, and less about my own. After all, every hard edge of a coffee table has been padded, cabinet doors locked, and breakables moved up to flood levels. Charlie-cat is well used to ear-grabbing, and tail-stepping, and being full body steam-rolled. Jonathan and I have (for the most part) gotten used to a the seldom sleep-ins, anytime-of-the-day meltdowns, and the planning-our-life-around naptimes.

Coming from a family of 10 kids, it's exciting to know that we are on our way to building our own little crazy bunch of love and chaos. That's why we are still thinking about getting a family puppy as well. Yep- with a new baby. Yep- at the same time. Why this is the shock of people is beyond me. Yea- it's going to be tough for a while. But come on-- you can do it! Think of all of the fights and long nights and potty training and Avery-dog food-eating there will be! Organized chaos. Gotta love it.

For now, we are just praying for a happy and healthy little baby. We are content is our small corner of the world, and can't wait to see what this next chapter has in store.

On that note, I'm off to clean up the entire bowl of cereal and milk that Avery has tipped onto the carpet.

a better day.

When the sun is shining, everyone has a better day. Avery can roam the neighborhood searching for sticks and flowers and puppies and water puddles, and bugs. And, I can walk closely behind to watch her experience life's fascinating things for the first time: A scrunched up forehead looking at a squirmy worm in a puddle, a giggle when the puppy down the street licks and tickles her hand, her eyes opening wide and starring at me as an airplane wooshes through the sky making a loud noise, or the attempt at a genuine "bauuk bauuk" sound when the chickens run over to her chubby bread-filled hands.

When the coffee pot is hot and full, everyone has a better day. Jonathan is awake enough to play with Avery while I check my email. The mornings are so so great with a hot mug against your hand. And, the brewing smell warms up the entire house.

When Avery takes good long naps, everyone has a better day. Baby is well rested and happy when awake. I have had an ample break from toys and bottles and "no's" and "don't do that!" and "get down from there," and "be nice to the kitty kitty," and pretend tea time, and diapers, and "where are your socks!?" and "go find your DAD!". Naptimes bring with them a magical piece of your old self, a time when you can make the lists, and organize said toys, and actually take a shower this week.

When you have a great husband, everyone has a better day. I love being a mom. I really do. But when you're at it 24-7, all you really need is a loving husband to give you a nice long kiss, tell you what an extraordinary mom and wife and best friend you are, and then go on and on about how good your cooked meal was. Then, it can't hurt to vacuum the living room without even asking him to. Jonathan has it down. He makes my every day better.

mother's day

Mother's Day was awesome this year. I have to say- the best out of...well...two years total. I was so surprised to come downstairs to a vase of gorgeous hot pink roses, glazed doughnuts, my favorite Starbucks blend, and a crayon-scribbled card informing me of a date night to the Broadway performance of Mary Poppins.

Exhibit A, The Loot:

Exhibit B, The Card:

Yea- I know!

Me: "Sweetie! How did you know all of those lines from Mary Poppins!?"
Jonathan: "I have to say, I looked them up."

Now, that's what ya call real love.

avery words

As of March 6, 2011, Avery words/sounds are as follows:

Mama
Dada
Boogs
Ball
Bite
Hot
Go Go Go! (cat & the hat song)
Rock-a-rock-a-rocka
No no no
Utt Ohhhhhh
Moooooo (cow)
Ruff Ruff (puppy)
Meow (kitty cat)
Baauuk baauuk baaauk (chicken)
ooh oohhhh ahhh ahhhh (monkey)

I'm not quite sure what we did for entertainment around here before Princess Popper of Finchland arrived.

high, lull

We just returned home from one of the best vacations we have ever been on, as a family. Roatan, Honduras was a laid-back, rustic, easy-access, no frills type of place that was just what two couples with one-year-old babies needed. The kids were thoroughly entertained by each other, the new beach house and its hundred new things to explore & get into, as well as seeing new animals, spending much of the day walking on/sitting on or throwing sand, and splashing in the salt water. Jonathan and I enjoyed day after day of absolutely no plans. Jonathan went scuba diving, came home and watched Avery while I walked down the dirt path for a massage, then it’s a little beach lounging, followed by the biggest decision of the day: where to go for dinner. I read the rest of my book, we played with some monkeys, explored the beach shops, ate some terrific seafood, went zip-lining, walked barefoot down the beach to dinner, put the babies to bed, and drank wine on the patio with friends. The sunsets were gorgeous. We swam with dolphins. And, I didn’t wear a watch or carry my cell phone anywhere.

Hense the lull. There’s always something great about coming home to the familiar--home to the routine, and the home-cooked meals, and the comfortable bed. But, you also come home to the small little problems and projects you left before vacation. The stack of mail to go through is only fun for the shopping catalogs that have piled up, and the house is usually only clean again for about 2.5 days. The post-vacation depression settles in for approximately 1 day for every 2 that you were gone. So, that puts my recovery time’s over-under at yesterday.

So, today is a new start. I re-painted our bedroom, finally broke down and ordered a new dishwasher, and have even started my own at-home-ab-workout-session. (Throat clearing)…the latter of which I’m predicting will last approximately 2 weeks, so don’t get too excited.

That being said, I’m also on the computer trying to figure out the next vacation destination. Jonathan has definitely given me the travel bug. He is pretty nuts about getting out of the country at least once a year, diving at least twice a year, and what he likes to call, “just making it happen.” This means strapping the kid to a backpack, and lugging the extra diapers/cherrios/pack’n play/favorite toy/blankey/bottles along with. Life with a baby is certainly harder that you think…and traveling with kids isn’t easy, but I do think that it’s all worth it. Nap schedules mess with touring during the day, finding warm milk for a bottle is always tricky when you’re not anywhere near a local Starbucks, and strolling around with a baby who only wants to walk themselves has presented an all-new-and-fun dilemma.

I’m happy to see Avery’s picture on a passport at 9 months old. I didn’t get one until I was 22 years old. So, I’m just going to concentrate on enjoying the lull while it lasts. Come to think of it, it’s kinda cozy in here.

Here are all of the pics. Password: Finch

my life, right now.

It’s not every day that I have a this-is-my-life kind of moment. But I thought I would catch up for a few of the very many missed opportunities I’ve had to write about how this life if going.

1. Going to the bathroom is a group activity now. Avery notices me walking toward that corner of the room, removing a piece of the barrier than encompasses her baby-friendly perimeter, and makes a b-line for the open bathroom door. She pops her happy head around the corner and smiles that amazingly famous I’m-so-happy-smile to be finding my way to follow mama. Yes- into the bathroom. A few dozen open and closings of the cabinet door follow 5 or 6 master crawls in and out of the stand-up shower- each of which require a certain skill for avoiding bruised little baby knees and pinched little baby fingers. She is a master. And just when I think I have amply enjoyed the entertainment, our kitty cat (aka The Boogs) panders on in as well. He finds a safe little 6-inch spot on the left side of the magazine rack to hover, just out of the way of cabinet doors flying open, and teeny fingers grabbing for kitty’s pretty necklace. As I flush the toilet, Avery and The Boogs stop what they are doing, look up at me and smile-- or err meow. It’s been yet another successful venture to the bathroom. Let’s go get everyone a treat.

2. I can’t really remember the last movie that I went to in a movie theatre. Jonathan and I used to attend the theatre at least once a week. Now, we are loyal Netflix card-carrying members with a somewhat-eclectic queue filled with anything from foreign film classics to cheesy romance flicks to national geographic studies to comedy club specials to newly nominated best pictures. It takes all kinds to broaden our horizon when we usually watch at least 5 movies a week. And, it has to be Pop Secret’s Homestyle popping corn to accompany. Really, nothing else will do. And, it has to be the blue pillow to stuff on my right side for Jonathan’s shoulder to lie on. And, it has to be the tan blanket (not the white one) to throw over the both of us. And, all of the lights need to be turned off except for the two dimly lit ones in the living room. And, Jonathan needs to make sure he shuts the kitchen cabinet doors before joining me on the couch. That way, all is perfect in the world.

3. The house is officially a home when:

a)The Boogs has sufficiently scratched up at least two corners of my favorite furniture pieces.

b)The lamp on the left side of the room has to been moved to higher ground every morning before Avery finds her way over to it, pulls on the light string, and it crashes to the floor- denting the shade just a little bit more.

c)I can heat up a bottle of milk in the middle of the night, and in the pitch dark, know exactly which numbers I’ve pushed on the microwave.

d)I know the species of animal The Boogs is looking at downstairs out the window from the type of chatter sounds I hear up in my bed.

e)When I find Cherrios in the cracks of my laptop, in the toe of my boot, and stuck to the side of the remote.

4. Only when I’m halfway done with grocery shopping do I realize what song I have been humming for 20 minutes now: the theme song to Avery’s Cat In The Hat morning cartoon. “Here we GO GO GO GO on an adventure, the thing-a-ma-jigger is up and away-ay-ay.” And, I don’t feel as silly when I return home to hear Jonathan humming the very same thing.

Life is really great. I'm just trying to take one day at a time, and remember all of the tiny pieces of goodness.