Summer Lovin

Had me a blast! Such a blast that I did not have the time, or the desire (sorry) to write the blogs that I promised you guys at the beginning of the summer. I'm so bad at this lately. I am having a bit of a blog identity crisis in all actuality. This blog started as a way to chronicle my journey into motherhood. Now my baby is 2 1/2, and that title doesn't really fit for me anymore. I have really struggled trying to find a new identity blog-wise. I'm working on it. Maybe I should just have another baby to solve that problem. (I'm kidding, Jared!)

This summer has been full of fun. This was the first year that we really started traveling a lot. We no longer fear the long car rides with P. She is a great little car rider (I'm so totally knocking on wood right now). We even took our first trip sans kids since P was born. It was so much fun we are already planning next summer. AND I may or may not be taking my child back to Disney World for the second time in 6 months. I know, I'm totally nuts!

Summer really did just fly by. But during these two months we have managed to get a lot done. We successfully quit the crib, and transitioned P to a big girl bed. AND we are almost completely PACI FREE!!!!! AHHH! If you know P then you know she was mightily attached to both of those things, but she has done a stellar job so far.

Then there is the potty training. It is still a process with both good days and bad. P definitely knows when she has to go and can hold it, but will sometimes boycott when she is upset or angry. Number 2 in the potty is pretty much a no go as P still struggles badly with constipation.

I threw a baby shower last weekend for one of my Mommy and Me friends who is having her second little girl. It affirmed in me in so many ways how much I love to host parties and showers. I love my friends and love to celebrate the moments in their lives that are so special. I found myself being choked up the whole day (no one noticed, thank god). I don't know what that is all about other than the fact that I am a big ol' softie. I had loads of fun planning and working on the event, and look forward to hosting another one in November for another close friend. Gah--everyone around me is pregnant it seems. I really should get paid to do this. Maybe one day--sigh!

I'll be honest this summer got me thinking a lot about the future and where I want to go. I have always felt really led to be a mom, and since I gave birth to P I have felt that my family was not yet done expanding. But over the last few weeks I find myself struggling internally with the thought of having that second baby and becoming a family of four (sometimes 5). It is such a monumental decision, and it is not one to be made halfheartedly.

When I think about P being the only baby I birth, nurse, and cuddle I feel the lump in the base of my throat start to grow. Like I have said before, when you experience that type of love--you want more. I so want to do all of those tiny baby things again. I REALLY do. I don't fear sleepless nights. or even labor. None of those deter me. What does is toddlerhood--because I AM NOT a toddler person. I don't enjoy toddlerhood as much as I enjoyed the first year. I am being totally honest here. Anyone else out there with me? no? I'm just terrible all by myself out here on the island. OK then.

Don't get me wrong there are so many great things about toddlerhood. P says the craziest things, but her mood swings are unbelievable. I fear that homegirl might torture a baby brother or sister. I'm 100 percent serious about that.

I also fear that I won't be as good the second time. There are so many things I want a do over for--like breastfeeding. But I also worry that I've forgotten how to do all of those baby things. I know I would pick it back up, but part of me dreads having to go back to those things after being away for so long.

Then there is actually being pregnant. I do NOT look forward to that. I had a very easy pregnancy with P, but I worked from home. The next one I would be on my feet all day. That would be killer. I don't know if I could handle the horrible morning sickness while working.


But a decision has to be made one way or the other soon. The jury is still out on this one. I know which way I am leaning right now, though. You'll just have to stay tuned to see what (if anything) happens.

Happy Friday Friends!
Caroline

Happy Trails

This week P and I are in Hilton Head on vacation. We are setting off with my mom and god-mother on a girls trip. I was definitely wanting to get P out a little bit because we have a VERY busy summer planned for her and I wanted to get her used to being in the car. However, there is always a little bit of anxiety when it comes to traveling with a little one.

I do find it a lot easier to travel with a toddler than an infant. When I took P to the beach last summer it was pretty miserable for the both of us. She wouldn't sleep pretty much the whole time we were there and I felt like I did just days after she was born--overwhelmed and exhausted. Plus, it was just hard for me in general. It was the first vacation I have ever had as a mom. It was quite an adjustment not really being able to go out and lie on the beach all day long.

This time--I don't have to bring everything and the kitchen sink--just everything. We still had to bring a pack n play and high chair. Then there are the many toys to keep her entertained. It is a pain to bring everything, but at the same time--the look on her face when she took off running on the beach made it all well worth it.

The key to traveling with a little one is to understand that they will do things differently because their environment is different. I have a hard time with this. At home, P eats pretty well and drink tons of water. Yesterday, I couldn't get her to eat her oatmeal and she was swatting that water away like it was a plague of locusts. BUT--come night time she started guzzling it. In the end thirst and hunger will win out. Just another example of how I have got to learn to trust her and her little body to tell me what she needs and when she needs it.

I was DEATHLY afraid that she would not sleep the whole trip down to the island. At home on our short trips here and there--she almost never sleeps in the car. I was worried that she would get hysterical. And--she did, but only once and I think it was because she was in pain from being really constipated. She did take 1 hour and a half nap and 1 40 minute nap while in the car. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. This is why I need to take her out more and get her used to adapting to my schedule instead of me being a slave to her's.

This summer we are taking the long trip to Virginia and Washington, D. C. We plan to take her with us, and I am hoping that she will do well on the trip. Let's see how she does on the way home on Wednesday.

What things do you do to make trips with your little one more enjoyable for everyone?