laughter

as I get closer to the end of my bed rest days (4 and a half weeks to go and counting!) the only things that have kept me sane have been: Josh, Chloë, friends and family! And the latest in family that has made it all much more bearable was the visit from Barbara and Gary. The two of them brought much needed laughter, and distraction, and filled our house with love and a lightness that only comes from being at ease with family. They've since left, and we all miss them already. Especially Chloë who quickly developed an attachment to Auntie B and Uncle Gary...or perhaps it was their iPhones? Either way, there's no denying that we all had such a blast! With B and Gary, it's actually impossible not to have a blast--just see below:


giggling buddies


sister, sister!


and more giggling!


because it's impossible not to giggle with those two around


but we did get one frame-worthy shot!

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never ending days

It's been a month since I last offered any updates on how we're holding up as bed rest continues for me, and Chloë just becomes more and more rambunctious.

This week I am 30 weeks pregnant, a huge milestone for someone who lived with 8 weeks of not knowing if I'd make it to a good viability point. Having endured almost 10 weeks of bed rest, I feel like a survivor already, but there's another six weeks to go, and I'm not going to lie, it's tough, very tough, but each week I hold this baby in, I know it's less time spent in the NICU, and having spent 2 weeks in the NICU with Chloë, after weeks of hospital bed rest, I am willing to do anything to avoid that this time around.

Saying that almost makes it seem like I'm totally great doing this, however, as I described it to someone earlier this week, long term bed rest is a very special kind of hell. I have passed the halfway mark, and as I said, I have another six weeks to go. At 36 weeks the doctors will remove my cerclage, take me off my medications, and at that point I'm off bed rest and free to deliver whenever. The goal is to make it to at least 37 weeks, though Dr. F. is being very optimistic and believes I will make it to 39 weeks, which is when he scheduled my c-section for. Personally, I have hopes of making it to 38 weeks and spending the weeks after I'm released from bed rest lazing by the pool, getting mani/pedis, doing last minute touches to the nursery finished, and perhaps going to a movie or two. But who knows, I could deliver the minute they remove my cerclage. Either way, this fantasy is what has kept me going the last few weeks.

As the weeks have crawled along, I've had good days and bad days. On good days I relish in the anticipation of the baby boy that's almost here (no need to hurry, though!) and I daydream about what life will be like once he joins us on the outside. On bad days, I wallow in self pity and wonder how I'm going to make it one more day, one more week, and would it be really bad if I just ignored some of the doctor's orders and went out for the day. Thankfully, the good days are enough to make me conquer the bad days, and I trudge along. Whatever the day, though, I have something that always perks me up:


the face of someone who's about to get into trouble...


sweet moments with daddy

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The Bed Rest Debate

Maybe it's because five weeks of bed rest have started to wear me down, maybe I'm just using my brain too much, but I came across several articles pointing to the limited research available on pregnancy bed rest and raising questions about its benefits. The articles also touched a nerve when discussing the potential negative side effects of bed rest on some women, as I am still recovering from what was diagnosed after many, many months of pain, as Parsonage Turner Syndrome, or Brachial Plexitis on my left shoulder. It is safe to say I was a little taken aback and apprehensive about all these articles and publications I came across, to say the least.

This is the article that first jolted me to seek Dr. Google's advice (bad, BAD move...)

Followed by all these publications found on this website.

To be fair, I was not looking for any of this. I was merely searching for possible bed rest exercises to help prevent muscle atrophy. In the end, I have come out with serious questions and doubts, which deep in my heart, I know can't be answered sufficiently or alleviated because even without much evidence, if Dr. F. tells me bed rest is the best chance I have at keeping this little boy inside longer, I will do it without a blink of an eye.

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Sunday morning in the backyard

Despite being cooped up as bed rest continues, I still find ways to enjoy summer, and more importantly, to indulge my little pumpkin in one of her favorite things of all time--to play outside! Every weekend morning it's the same thing after breakfast "Mommy, Daddy...outsiiiiide" "Outsiiiiide, peeeeeas" "I wan outsiiiiide"...and we just can't resist.

So, this is what we did on Sunday morning. Several hours of outsiiiiide!

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time and changes

A Letter to Chloë, on your 2nd birthday

From the moment my belly started bulging out a few months ago, until about 5 weeks ago, I cherished our bedtime routine, knowing they might come to an abrupt end through no fault of our own. I would hold you in my arms, and you always stuffed your face into my neck, trying to fit it just right, and you'd put your arms around me, and sigh so peacefully. They were short minutes, when I would hold you tight before placing you in your crib. I would say "'night, 'night" and you'd grab your bear and watch me leave the room. There were some nights I almost cried, because I knew that those days were almost over, that not only was my belly getting bigger, and bed rest was looming in our future, but you are also getting bigger, more independent, knowing your own mind, and some nights would quickly want to move from my shoulders to your crib.

Now you are two--two full years, and Daddy has been putting you to bed every night, for about 5 weeks now. Those first few days when you'd complain as you went upstairs and I stayed behind on the couch, I would cry as I heard you and Daddy upstairs, laughing, getting your PJs on, and doing our routine. I would cry because I miss you, because I know by the time I'm able to once again hold you in my arms before bed, you might not want it anymore because you are two. Two full years. Full of life, wants and demands.

I don't cry anymore, because I know you are strong and you understand. You kiss and pat my belly, but I still think you have no idea exactly how our world will rock when this other little treasure comes out into the world. It will be amazing, and with all that you have become in the last two years, you will also be amazing.

So for now, I celebrate your birthday, the little person you're becoming, and as I lay on the couch, on the bed, on the floor, I enjoy every minute of you. You, with your curls, and your knowing smile, your mischievous eyes, and all your charm. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I just knew it, you were about to rock my world, and you've never disappointed.

I love LOVE love you! Amo MUITO!

-Mommy


there are no words

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because it's worth it

this is day 26 of bed rest and for all the moments I want to rip my hair out or cry for hours on end, there's one thing that keeps me going. Knowing that I'll have a little piece of me, a little piece of Josh, wandering around climbing trees, and just looking positively mischievous.


climbing trees with friend, Chase


looking angelic to some, but really, ready to pounce on mischief

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Deja vu

It's been weeks since I last decided to share anything of what this pregnancy has been like for us, and in that time, I also neglected to share anything related to Chloë. I just didn't think I could write without revealing all, so I chose not to write at all. We've had a rollercoaster of a month, and are slowly, slowly (but surely) getting adjusted to a new routine, our new reality. We are now a little over 5 months along and going on day 11 of bed rest.

Yup-bed rest again. The first time, while brutal, it was totally doable. I didn't disrupt too much, just stayed in bed, or on the couch working away until Josh came home from work. This time we have Chloë. We've had to change our schedules, figure out different routines, get her used to different things, and most of all, get me used to not being with her, doing things with her, for her, all the time. It's been insanely hard for me, and her. She's much better at getting used to it, she's tough. I'm still struggling, though hanging in there. I'm still able to work, so the distraction has been a blessing. Wonderful friends have helped in so many ways, and Josh has been a rock.

Without Josh and his ability to make it all ok, I'm not sure how I'd be doing right now. He has reminded me a few times this week that I can do it, and of course it's going to be hard, because as of now, as of 5 months ago, we don't just have one kid, we have two kids. And that's what makes it worth it, I know that I'm doing this for this little boy that's kicking my bladder every day, countless times a day, making me race for the bathroom. And I know from experience that as soon as I hold him in my arms, as soon as I see his face, I'll forget all about the hard part. So for now, I'll just lay here. For him. As I did for her.


they make it all worthwhile.

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like a proper little girl

These pictures just make my Chloë seem so old! No longer a baby, but a proper little girl. Josh told me I had to take the pictures of her pretty pigtails, and he HATES my obsession with picture taking, so I figured I really *had* to take these. So here they are:

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Motherhood

Last year, Mother's Day was so huge for me, it marked such a miracle, I was overwhelmed with emotions days before the actual day. This year, life has been so hectic, it took me until the day was almost over to realize that this Mother's Day, I have received another miracle. I was always told that the chances of me conceiving naturally were pretty much nonexistent, and after Chloë was born, I knew that despite that, I could still be a mother. We had just started contemplating adding another baby to the mix when before we even had a chance to figure out what the next step was in trying for another miracle--the miracle descended upon us.

It was March 1st when I took my third or fourth home pregnancy test since having had Chloë. See, since we thought we couldn't conceive naturally, there was never any reason to use any kind of birth control. Every once in a while, I would take a test if there was a big event, say a wedding, or a huge night out planned, where old school college days type drinking might be in order. March 1st was such a day. Josh and I were due to leave for Miami for our first vacation without Chloë, and we had plans to have a wild week. When that test turned positive, I was dumbfounded. I always took the test thinking, knowing, it was just a precaution, that it would be negative, and March 1st was no different. I actually left the test sitting on the bathroom counter for a couple of hours before I remembered about it. When I picked it up, and saw it, I rushed to the bedroom where I could sit down, and I hyperventilated. I could barely breathe. I cried in disbelief, with total joy, a unique kind of joy, because I still couldn't, wouldn't, let myself believe that this could be real. I went to the doctor that same day, and there it was. A baby.

This Mother's Day I celebrated my first miracle, my Chloë bear, my pumpkin. I also celebrated this baby in my belly which came to us when we least expected it. On top of it all, I was celebrated by my amazing husband and daughter who let me sleep in, made me breakfast, took me out for lunch, and showered me with gifts. Motherhood: today I have no complaints.

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kisses with love

Nowadays Chloë is a big fan--HUGE fan--of giving kisses. She puckers up perfectly, and loves to kiss her baby dolls, her teddy bears, Kyra, all her school friends, even Elmo pictures she sees in her books. Mommy and daddy? Not so much. Everytime either one of us asks for a kiss it's as if she almost delights herself in saying "Nao!" with a bit of a smirk. It's like she knows we just desperately want that adorable kiss and only she can give it to us.

Every night before bed, Josh will ask "Can daddy have a kiss?" as we're getting her ready for bed, and invariably she'll smirk and say "NAO!" Well, tonight, love was in the air, and as he asked for a kiss, she puckered up and waited till he he got close to her, and she gave him an AWESOME, delicious kiss. And she kept giving away those kisses, like they were free or something. At one point, I couldn't resist and asked for some too, thinking in the back of my mind that she'd deny me the love, but thankfully, she deemed me worthy and I got kisses too. After all our kisses, I said to Josh, well, that was our allotment of kisses for the rest of the month and he laughed.

My fears were confirmed this morning when I asked for a kiss and she gave me that knowing look and said "Nao!"

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bath time!

Yesterday while I was getting dinner ready and Josh was telling me about his day, Chloë puttered around playing with her baby doll. As the two of us talked, we could hear her talking to her baby, and kissing the baby, and generally having a great time. At one point, things went a little too quiet, and once Josh went to check on her all I heard was "Oh, no" in a very defeated tone. I looked over, and he said "Chloë went to give the baby a bath." I walked over, and realized what he truly meant. She had indeed decided to give the baby a bath. In the toilet. We both stood there looking at her, and she held one of the baby's arm, and then we realized she must have tried to dry the baby with the toilet paper rolls, because there were TWO of them inside the toilet as well as the baby. Josh approached her slowly, and explained he'd have to take the baby away and everyone had to get their hands washed, and she freaked out. It seemed as if she was scared that she had done something wrong, so we tried to calm her down while also explaining to her that toilet water is just yucky.

We washed her hands, and arms, and face, and we hid the baby in the kitchen sink for a proper bath later on. The next thing we did was sit down for dinner. But now, thinking back, I so wish we had grabbed the camera and taken a picture of Chloë's baby in the 'bath'. It is certainly a vision to remember.

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a princess in NYC

This past weekend we took a road trip to NYC to visit my dad and his wife. As an added bonus my oldest sister and her son were there as well. What should have taken us 4 1/2 hours ended up taking 7, and towards those last couple of hours, not even Dora the Explorer could entertain Chloë who desperately wanted out of her carseat and kept pleading with me "Mommy, peeeeas!" Once we finally arrived at the hotel, way past her dinner time and bedtime, she was SO excited to get out of the car, she forgot all about being tired and hungry. While I tried to think quick and order some dinner so we could put her to bed, Chloë made quick friends with Max, and the two of them ran all around the suite. By the end of her dinner, she was completely comfortable with everyone and slightly annoyed when we took her to bed. She crashed pretty quickly a little before 9pm (!!) and Josh and I joined everyone for a terrific dinner at the Post House.

The weekend was pretty full of activities, much of which involved Chloë constantly wanting to wear her new princess costume and crown, as Max ran around in his Star Wars get up. We went to the Central Park Zoo, and walked around, and played with ducks, and Chloë was even treated to a fancy shopping spree and made out with 4 beautiful dresses!

On Monday morning when we were getting ready to leave slightly after breakfast, she started to get moody, and I think she had a feeling that the free-for-all weekend theme of being able to do anything she wanted and get away with it all was coming to an end. She gave everyone goodbye kisses and loudly waved "byeeeeee! byeeeeee!"

Thankfully, the drive back took us the expected 4 1/2 hours, and in the evening everyone was asleep by 8pm.

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She really does LOOOVE bunnies!

Hard to believe, huh?

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she's ok, really. REALLY!

Since the last time I posted, LOTS have happened, but I'll leave that to another post. This one is dedicated to the first time Chloë got a major BOO BOO!

It was a normal Thursday afternoon, the weather was great, and as we've been doing for the last few days of total sunshine and butterflies that we've been having, we've been hanging out in the patio and the backyard after Chloë comes home from daycare. Yesterday was no different. We kicked around a ball, pushed Chloë in her car, walked around looking for pine cones, and continuously told Chloë NOT to climb onto the picnic table. We must have scolded her a MILLION times "Chloë, don't STAND on the table, SIT on the bench." Over and over and OVER.

As one can imagine, our countless warnings and reminders did nothing to prevent what was mostly inevitable since Chloë learned how to climb onto the picnic table bench and onto the table. I was sitting on a chair a few feet away, and Josh was maybe 2 seconds from grabbing her as Chloë, for oh, maybe the 946th time, climbed onto the picnic table bench and started to try and get her momentum to swing herself onto the table and whoops, lost her balance. In the two seconds it took for her to not grab a hold of the table and actually dive headfirst onto the slate floor, Josh rushed over and I instinctively turned my head and closed my eyes. Yes, I refused to look. Not exactly what you'd think would be the first mom thing to do, but it's exactly what I did: I looked away. Josh missed her, and she fell head first onto the floor and hit her forehead. She screamed and screamed, and as Josh picked her up she immediately called for me at which point, I quickly composed myself, took a deep breath and opened my arms up for her. She hugged me immediately and just cried and cried. As I watched her face, and saw her tears, I was amazed at just how quickly the bruise and gigantic BUMP on her forehead appeared. Right before my eyes! We called the Doctor who told us these things usually look MUCH worse than they are (REALLY? Have you fallen off a picnic table headfirst onto the slate patio floor recently?) and instructed us to make sure her pupils looked normal, and she didn't throw up, and keep her up for a couple of hours.

We sat there watching her and trying to put ice on her forehead as she swatted us away saying "Não! Não!" and she seemed ok. She was back to playing in less than 10 minutes, and 12 minutes after her fall was once again trying to climb up the picnic table. Her forehead, on the other hand, is definitely indicative of the good fight she got into with the floor. All in all, major crisis averted.


no bump picture because, well, it looks awful!

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my pumpkin

this is the face that wins all. when she looks at me like this she is likely to get whatever she wants. something tells me she is not too young to already know this, and so we've been seeing this face more and more often.

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