Blog: She's alive!

Yup, I'm still hanging in there. Sure, I experience sleep deprivation torture the like of Guantanamo Bay, but I've got two adorable little faces (and the occasional glass of sangria) to pull me back from the brink of insanity. So here's what's been going down in the Rockland Mother household...

Liam is 4.5 months old and in the 91st percentile for height and weight! He's a giant bundle of pumpkin-headed love who doesn't like to sleep, but makes up for it with loads of smiles and his new habit of making fart noises with his mouth.

Andrew is going to be three in January! He started going to school two days a week this month and he loves it so much he doesn't want to come home at the end of the day. I'm so glad he isn't afraid to go, but its of course bittersweet to see my little boy growing up so quickly! Also, I'm just a little bit embarrassed when he kicks and screams when I pick him up (I promise, folks, he gets more than enough love, food and toys at home!!)

My husband (have I ever talked to you about him? Whoops.) is working his butt off every day and, while we don't see him as much as I'd like to, he's saving up so that we can buy a house. We've been looking around for said house, but man is it rough out here in Rockland. The houses are still expensive, and we're just afraid to become so house poor that we can't take the boys out to do fun things. We're gonna have to bite the bullet some day, though, no matter how much I do love having my parents upstairs to help us... stressful!

And, me? I'm still trying to get into a groove with the two little ones and lose the baby weight! I'm on Weight Watchers (again) and trying to find time and the drive for exercise. I really should start posting updates for accountability on the blog, but do you guys really want to see me fail so miserably? Egh, maybe you'll kick me in the (extra-padded) butt and help me slim down for my best friend's April wedding? Do I have to beg you??

Well, until next time!

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Blog: Welcome Liam!

Brand-spanking new!

So, you may have noticed that I've been absent from blogging for quite awhile and it is because of a totally wonderful reason--Liam has arrived! Our second little boy was born on May 3rd and weighed in at 7 lbs 6 oz and 20 in. He is adorable and we are slowly but surely getting into the groove of being a new family of four.

I'll be posting more often now that Liam is over a month old and hanging out in his baby seat awhile more now (and not always eating or in my arms!) I've got reviews of Good Samaritan Hospital in mind, a review of my double stroller--the Joovy Ergo Caboose--and a whole lot more... because being a mommy of two is a whole lot different and requires more accouterments!

1 month old and super cute!

Oh, and since nobody but my lovely blogger friend Sara over at NinjaPanza entered the baby guessing game, she's the lucky winner of 3 handmade soaps from Craft-o-Land! She is a wonderful mommy and deserves this special gift so I won't berate you all for not participating in my little game. (But next time you are all in trouble.) I'll be in touch soon, Sara!

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Fail: Lamaze Cotton Spandex Sleep Bra

I think many pregnant women get to a point where sleeping without a sleep bra or some other sort of support is way too uncomfortable. Having my increasingly larger and more sensitive parts unrestrained while I sleep definitely has become intolerable for me--but its so dang hard to find a well-designed maternity/nursing sleep bra for larger busts (D+)!

Lamaze's Cotton Spandex Sleep Bra ($18) is definitely not the solution to my problem. While it is soft and comfortable and supportive enough while sitting upright, sleeping in the bra is a whole different situation.

The deep v-neck crossover design--which is designed to make for easy nursing--actually makes is such that when you lay in bed your boobs simply fall out one side or another. Aggravating! Now, if you have super perky boobs (real or constructed) that stay put no matter what, I assume you won't have a problem. But, this mama is just not that lucky.

I've run into this problem before, though, with crossover/wrap-style sleep bras. The only solution, perhaps, for women with larger busts like me is to go for a different style of sleep support and maybe sew up the v-neck opening of your wrap-style bras so they don't go to waste.

My favorite sleep solution so far has to be Bravado's Essential Nursing Tank. No, its not a bra, and it can run up to $60 depending on the size and color you want/need, but your boobs aren't going anywhere in this baby thanks to the comfy built-in wireless bra and the adjustable shoulder straps. If you're lucky, you can find the tanks for sale on discount sites like Zulily or Baby Steals, and Amazon has some of the less popular colors on sale for lower prices.

I'll most likely be living in my Bravado Nursing Tanks once the baby arrives in the next couple of weeks, but I will still be on the hunt for good sleep bras and nursing bras that I can wear outside the house. Please feel free to post your suggestions below!

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One(ish) Week to Go!

Hello, I am huge -- and my husband has way
too many toiletries. 

Yes, I'm still around my friends, even though my blog has been sorely neglected! Getting our home in order has been no easy task these last few weeks--especially since my darling Andrew has discovered the world of "no" where clothes and cooperation are frowned upon!

Regardless, I've been slowly but surely getting things accomplished and making sure I'm prepared with baby supplies for little one number two due to make his appearance in the next week or two. I'm actually feeling pretty calm right now--a feeling I'm sure will be shattered once little Liam arrives and the tornado that is two little boys consumes me!

I'm super excited and ready, though, for Liam to be born. My belly is stretched to the max, the lower half of my body feels like it is detaching, my heartburn is at an all-time high, and I can't wait to regain the power to outrun Andrew again! But, mostly, I just can't wait to kiss my sweet new baby and have Andrew meet his (hopefully) future best friend.

I've also got some really great products I can't wait to try out and report back to you! I was able to sell the too-small Valco Ion double stroller and get an amazing Joovy Ergo Caboose (it fits Andrew perfectly and he thinks it is so cool!) I bought a Snuggin Go Infant Positioner to replace our lost infant insert for our Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat. And we just set up our new Arms Reach Co-Sleeper mini bassinet.

Please send labor dust my way, bloggerverse, and lots of sleep-through-the-night wishes for me and my two little boys! I'll be sure to post more frequently if I can get Andrew and Liam to agree to a reasonable sleep schedule! :)

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