Summer Haircuts

As most of you know both Brandon & Aiden have much longer hair then traditional standards. Well not anymore, at least for the summer. I have been toying with the idea to give Aiden a Mo-Hawk or “faux-hawk” since he was about 8 months old, and every summer I decide not to do it, I can’t bear to cut off his gorgeous blond curls. The past few weeks Aiden has been asking me to “take his hair off” and then tries to find some scissors for me to do that. But today was the day, Aiden looks so adorable with his new haircut. Please check out our before and after pics

Back to work in a month

It still seems so close, but still so far away. I haven’t been *unemployed* this longs since before I was ever employed. I am not technically unemployed, but I haven’t worked (at my job…) since January 20th. Seems like I have been gone FOREVER! I miss my job as a nurse, but my job as a mom keeps me very busy as well. In fact I think more busy most days. My son and I are usually busy doing something, and Audrey always comes along for the ride.

I have found that I feel like since I have been home I feel like I need to justify everything I do. It’s a weird feeling, not that I am doing anything wrong, or shirking on any of my responsibilities, but when I am home full-time I feel like my time isn’t as valuable I guess. I know that it is, but being home as a mom is very under appreciated I think. I wonder if most mom’s who stay home feel that way. I know that my kids love it when I am home, and I enjoy being home with them, I also like being a homemaker (you know the cooking cleaning part of things) it’s fun, but it really doesn’t come with a lot of excitement.

When I spend a day at work I get to talk about all the great stuff I do for other people. I delivered twins, I assisted in surgery, I helped with a shoulder distocia, etc etc, ad nauseum. This is all a far more exciting answer to the question, “What did you do today?” My typical answer lately is, “umm well I wiped the counters and went to the grocery store.” Far less exciting then my typical day, but also usually a lot more difficult. (YOU try taking 2 kids to the grocery store and keep them happy!) I wonder if I feel like this because I am so used to working, or maybe my other SAHM friends feel the same way (Feel free to chime in ladies). Motherhood is very under appreciated.

On to a more upbeat note… Things are still going great between my two kiddos. Aiden is still in love with Audrey, and she is actually starting to show signs that she loves him just as much. She loves watching him jump and dance around, and she loves when he comes and lays next to her under her play mat. She has also turned into a bit of a “binky baby.” Aiden completely refused a pacifier as a baby, but Audrey loves it. She doesn’t have it in her mouth all the time, but maybe a couple hours a day. I am hoping maybe it’ll aid in the not-chewing toys-until-you’re-three phase that Aiden seems to be on. We’ll see I guess. Otherwise Audrey is growing like a weed, it’s amazing how many things she has outgrown already! Aiden was smaller for longer it seems, but I am glad to know she is healthy. And she sleeps great! I can honestly say I get as much (or maybe more) sleep now then I did when I was pregnant. Definitely not the same case with Aiden. Although he was a great sleeper, not nearly as great as Audrey. Lucky me!

Aiden & Audrey

Audrey and I have been home for 3 weeks now, and I have yet to elaborate on what my life is like now, being the momma of 2. People are constantly asking, “how’s Aiden?” and to answer that honestly, amazing. Much better then I was anticipating. Expecting the worst and hoping for the best is something I think helps me to get over things not going as planned. But when it came to Aiden meeting his new baby sister I have no complaints. His first reaction was a bit of surprise I think. For about 8 months we had been talking to him (preparing him) about the baby in mommy’s tummy. At about 7 months pregnant when my belly was starting to grow faster he would pull up my shirt and talk to “Baby Audrey” saying, “Baby come out!.” So when she finally did after 2 months of asking I think he was very surprised!

He crawled into bed with me and Audrey and asked if he could kiss her, and I told him that he could and then he looked at her and said “I love you baby Audrey” it was so sweet, completely unprompted, except for the fact that during my pregnancy I would tell him that I love baby Audrey just like I loved Aiden. Also it’s important for you to know that I love you’s don’t come regularly from Aiden, for weeks I was the only person he would say it too, and finally he would say I love you to Brandon and that was it! So it was pretty sweet that he said it to his baby sister upon their first meeting. He later tried to share his grapes with her (see photo).

Once we brought her home he seemed totally in love with her, curious nd protective at the same time, always wanting to kiss her head, or cheek, or rub her hair. We allow him to touch her as much as he wants, provided he is gentle, and 99% of the time he is, I don’t think he has any ill intentions when it comes to his sister. The first 2 weeks I would have said he didn’t seem to have any jealousy either. A few times this week he has been wanting her things, like when she is laying with a blanket, he wants that blanket, but he usually likes to lay with her and they can share a blanket which is sweet. He has never tried to be rough, and he is always concerned for her well-being if he should hear her cry. So all in all the transition has been extremely smooth. If Aiden is even half the big brother my brother David was then Audrey is a VERY lucky girl!

As for me, I could not have asked for an easier labor & Delivery. Mind you, I could have asked for an easier pregnancy (puking at 8 months pregnant and kidney stones, yuck!) But my delivery was a cinch! I delivered Audrey at Santa Monica, UCLA which is where I work. Nothing like being surrounded by knowledgeable nurses who know and care about you! People have constantly asked me if I thought it would be weird to have my co-workers see me have a baby. I really don’t care, in our line of work it’s pretty much “seen one, seen ‘em all” (with very few exceptions!) I felt very blessed to be in a place I was familiar and comfortable with while welcoming my daughter into the world! Because my delivery was easy, my recovery was easy (and it helped that I didn’t have class 3 days after giving birth). Brandon’s mom, Judy, arrived the evening I delivered Audrey so she was there to help with Aiden which was such a blessing and a HUGE relief. I was getting sick over wondering what was going to happen to Aiden when I was in the hospital. Having Judy here made that much easier! She was also able to stay for a few days to spend time with our family ad get to know her grandchildren. Aiden loved the extra attention, and I think he needed it with the stress of a new baby. Brandon was also able to stay home for 2 weeks which was great. I mis him now that he is back at work. *sniff sniff*

Today is the end of my first week doing everything on my own. I thought that having 2 kids would be quadruple the work, but I have discovered that it’s not. Aiden has been wonderful and Audrey is an easy happy baby (who lets me sleep a lot at night!) I have been able to take them both shopping on several occasions, and we go to the park and for walks, and stick around the house. It’s not nearly as difficult or overwhelming as I had anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a total walk in the park, but on the difficult scale of 0-10 (I was anticipating an 11) it’s about a 6 or 7. Aiden alone is a 6, so that tells you how easy Audrey is.

Overall it’s been a smooth transition and an easy recovery. I am looking forward to going back to work mid June. We have a great nanny that is going to be moving in with us in 4 weeks so we’re excited about that as well!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Audrey Carol

Today at 4:10PM Pacific time, Audrey Carol was born into the world. She is 19″ and 7lbs 13 oz. Jessica and I very proud to have her finally with us out in the world. Thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes during her pregnancy.

You can view more pictures of her at http://www.flickr.com/photos/burtonbowman/sets/72157604473704326/

I’m Home

I am home as of Monday afternoon, everything is A-OK and I feel great, nice and recovered. I am so grateful for everyone’s prayers and kind words and help during the past few days. I spent 5 days in the hospital, which felt like an eternity, especially for Brandon and Aiden. Kinda blurry for me with the pain meds, but I definitely missed being home, although the hospital was the best place for me to be during that time. Best of all the baby is fine, in fact she is better than fine, she is doing great, and growing like a weed, she is almost 4 pounds! And I still have 8 weeks to go:)

Please keep us in your thoughts and Prayers

It’s Saturday morning and I am laying in bed, at the hospital. I have been here since Thursday morning, and I feel terrible. Luckily our baby is doing well, I am having a bit more pre-term labor, and looks like I have kidney stones when is pretty agonizing. I go between being in massive pain, and doped out of my mind. Luckily there are pain medications that are safe during pregnancy, but I still hate the thought of drugging my unborn child. I will spare you all the gory details, we just ask that you would all say a little prayer for a quick recovery, with no permanent damage.

On a happier note I had an ultrasound yesterday and the Doctor was able to take them most beautiful face picture of our unborn daughter, she is GORGEOUS! I will post the photo’s after I recover. She has my lips, but otherwise I think she looks like Brandon. You can even see her eyelashes in the photo, I can’t believe how beautiful she is,it brings tears to my eyes when I look at the pictures. Makes all the nausea, fatigue, heartburn and everything else so much more bearable knowing that I will get to meet her soon ( just hopefully not too soon)

The Sweetest Thing

So last night we all went to the mall, when it’s cold and dark the park isn’t a good place, but the mall has one of those great playplaces, with all the soft-ish stuff you can climb on, and Aiden loves it. He needed to get out of the house and run around a bit, he’s been cooped up with me for the most part. I got the sweetest complement I have ever received (so far) last night, and it came from the mouth of my 2 year old. While working our way down to the end with the place area for Aiden we passed by a Victoria’s Secret. In the window there was a gorgeous, scantily clad VS Models barely (almost) everything, with a perfect body. As we walked past, Aiden shouted and insisted that it was a “picture of mommy” he said this at least 3 or 4 times. I found it toally amusing, and so cute! Nice to know someone thinks I look like a VS model. Although I know it’s weird coming from a toddler, I still thought it was pretty darn cute! It makes everything else a little easier to forgive.

So a few weeks ago we decided to give the big boy bed a try, the first night was mostly successful it took several tries and a few threats to get him to stay in bed, but at around 9:30 he finally fell asleep, and didn’t make a peep until just before 7am which I thought was pretty good (he usually sleeps 8-7). The next night it took several tries again, and he fell asleep and at about 11 or 12 I heard the pitter patter of little feet above my head. So I trekked upstairs only to find my 2 year old sitting on the floor in the middle of the kitchen with a package of Blackberries (half eaten). Apparently he needed a midnight snack. So I hauled him off to bed again, and he slept until 3 or so. This was Brandon’s turn, so he put Aiden back to bed and he slept until about 6am. No nobody got much sleep in our house that night. We discussed it and decided to put Aiden back into the crib, until we get into our new house. Well now he scales the crib, climbs right out of it, and has been waking us up in the wee hours of the morning. I hear his little voice outside our door at 4am “Good Morning Mommy.” Not a good morning when you get up that early, trust me! Luckily he usually will go back to sleep, but I thought once they slept through the night they were supposed to STAY sleeping through the night. I read differently this week. Kids apparently have lots of night wakings, but only the lucky ones (or maybe the parents are the lucky ones) are able to get back to sleep on their own.

A good day to stay in bed

We’ve all been slightly under the weather. Aiden has been a bit sick for over a week, took him to the doctor and she said give him Tylenol and wait it out. But he is still coughing, and apparently gave his cold to Brandon. I on the other hand dodged the cold, but am plagued with pregnancy ailments. I somehow never remember feeling this crummy when I was pregnant with Aiden. I am still having tons of nausea, I guess it’s my turn since I had none with Aiden. Anyone have a good cure for heartburn? Good Grief, so far the only thing that works is a pint of ice cream, but if I keep that up I’ll gain 100 pounds. Even yogurt makes it worse. This kid is going to be hairy (yes I believe in old wives tales!).

Everything has been compounded by our move, whew, glad we got the worst of it done. We now have an amazing HOUSE (yes, an actual house!) it’s 5 bedrooms and HUGE (at least compared to our current place). We are doubling our space, and Aiden is getting a yard. I say it’s for Aiden, but really it’s for me, so I can let him run around somewhere besides the kitchen, living room or bedrooms (moms you understand!) Aiden is so incredibly energetic, maybe we need to cut down his sleep! But hopefully he will get worn out in the yard on the non-rainy days.

LA has been raining like cats and German shepherds (for the slower readers, I mean a lot). It’s like I am living in Seattle or something crazy. Everything is soggy, damp and cold. I am looking forward to more sunny days. We get a few in here and there, but not enough in the last couple of months. Although Aiden is enjoying the puddles. So that is why we are staying in bed today, reading, watching movies and overall just resting. Trying to keep boxes off my mind.

Naked at the beach in January

Sounds crazy? I guess I wasn’t totally naked, Today we did a photo shoot at the beach with a photographer that was wanting to beef out her portfolio. It was fun, she wanted to shoot young children and pregnant women, and picked me because I have a super cute kid, and fit the bill with the belly:) I will post a pic or two, it was fun, she was a great photographer, and luckily it wasn’t too cold. But I guess I am pretty bold to bare by bare belly for all the world (and the surfers) to see. i was really self-conscious when I was pregnant with Aiden, but this time around I am embracing my huge belly and huge everything else, doesn’t bug me, it’ll all go back to (somewhat) normal. Besides nothing in your life is the same after you add a child to it, why should your body be the same, right?

So I will post some pics from today and you can all see my giant belly! Aiden is much cuter, so he will be there too:)

Don’t Let your Love life Suffer because your Weiner is tiny!

Ok so that was just one of the many “love life enhancing” e-mails I received today. I wonder who the creative mind is thinking up these titles, wow, I mean they could use their talents for something so much bigger, right?

Ok so it’s been a while since I have updated anyone, I am still pregnant and hopefully will be for another 2 months. I have had a bit of pre-term labor so now I am off work and spending my life as a stay at home mom, which is far more difficult then my usual occupation. So all my SAHM friends I commend you for being home all the time with your brats, yeah I said brats, mine is a brat too, or at least can be. I am not sure if Aiden is getting naughtier or if I am getting less tolerant. Maybe it’s my crazy preggo hormones. They don’t make me cry, but they make me irritable. I try to stay nice but when Aiden does the same naughty thing for the 100th time I find myself getting frustrated. Being pregnant while childless (aka your first pregnancy for the slow joes in the group) is far easier. You have been basically living for yourself the last 20 or so years. But now that your life has been taken over by someone who only fits into baby Gap you suddenly are very drained while pregnant. But I am managing, and just trying to take it easy these next few weeks, let my unborn one cook a little (or a lot) longer. I would like another 7 pounder if I could. So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we really want a healthy full-term baby (again!).

I got to thinking about this blog, I tend toward ranting, but many of the things that really get on my nerves I can’t even write about because I want to talk bad about some things or some people who read it, and that wouldn’t be cool, right? I mean you only want to talk bad about people in private, or when you know they won’t know you’re saying it. So basically this blog is making me practice self-control, at least in some respects. Those people close enough to me who know who I like to vent about will understand. And the people I vent about who read this blog. Don’t worry, of course it’s not YOU! Luckily Aiden can’t read yet, but in another year or two I am gonna have to quit talking about him.

Many of you already know, but now you will know for sure, next week my family (Mom, Dad, Mathilda & Daniel) are moving to Australia. It’s a little bittersweet. My dad got a great job out there and my parents want to be closer to their parents. Luckily Tilda and Daniel are very excited to go and I think they will enjoy themselves quite a bit. Brandon and I are looking to follow them out there in the next 3 (or so) years. I want to wrap up my 5th year at UCLA and Brandon wants his company to get a big buy-out. Hopefully that will happen in 3 years, as I will have finished my 5th year @ UCLA by then. My family has always been spread out as long as I can remember. It’s just that now I will have to count backwards before giving my mom a call.

Brandon posted a happy Holidays Blog post a couple weeks ago and mentioned another blog www.frugalmom.org it’s going to be my personal shopping/money saving blog. I have a few posts ready to go, but Brandon needs to launch it and stuff. So I will keep you updated on that as well. In other news, we’re moving again, we decided we needed a yard for Aiden, and our neighborhood is pretty much the ‘hood, so we are moving into a great neighborhood south of here, still pretty close to work and all that, but much nicer!