10 Months...and walking (sort of)

Our little girl is really starting to show her personality. She's curious and sassy and stubborn and headstrong and smart and fearless and generous. Because she's into everything I've decided not to have a Christmas tree this year. As much as I'd love for her to have one, I don't think I could keep my sanity if I had to keep her out of it all the time (plus I'm being lazy). Some have suggested having a smaller tree on the table and I like that idea but it's not in the budget this year. I will hang our stockings though!

This was our second Thanksgiving hosting and my second one being pregnant. At least I wasn't as pregnant this time, but still exhausting. We had a lot of fun though and all the food was really good. I was bad mommy and didn't take any pictures, but Bonnie was cute in her turkey bib. She did really well entertaining herself while we got things done and then playing with her cousins. Her PawPaw held her most of the time when she got really tired, and that was a Godsend. She ate her Grandma's green beans which she loves, didn't like her Mama's mashed potatoes too much (probably the sour cream in it), and had some sweet potato casserole. Obviously a different Thanksgiving having a little one around, but tons of fun.

Bonnie Brags

• She's been working her way to it for a while, but she took her first steps on Thanksgiving! She's been standing without support for a while now, but hadn't really tried to take any steps yet. She finally did it while none of us were really looking, it was out of the corner of our eyes. So we tried our hardest to replicate it. We finally got some results. Her Aunt Vickie with the assist.

• She's not spot on yet, but she can look at us and tell us when she's pooping. She'll go, "puh puh puh". It's the cutest and quite convenient.
• She's very generous with giving her food to Jericho. Not sure if that's a good thing, but it's cute to see her try and help him out.
• She is really smart and once she sets her mind on figuring out how to do something she'll do it. I think her problem solving is crazy good for a 10 month old.
• She'll climb up on anything, which tends to lead to heart attacks on our part.
• She's learning to pet Jericho properly which leads to him letting her get close to him more often. She's really sweet with him and tries to give him toys all the time.
• She smiles every time she sees Johnathan or me, and that's honestly the best feeling in the world.

2 under 2

Yep, my eggo is preggo! We weren't going to try again until Bonnie turned 1 in January, but I guess God had different ideas. The due date is May 10th, but if last pregnancy was any indication the baby will be induced a week early. That'll make this one and Bonnie about 15 months apart...pray for me now!!

I knew there was a chance that I was pregnant due to an "incident" (overshare? too bad, you're all adults, get over it ;)), so a few days before my period was supposed to start I bought some EPT and took a test...it was negative. I could have waited but I wanted to know if I should be expecting my period or not. But the time for my period came and went and nothing. I thought, hmmm maybe because I tested late in the day? Another day passed and still no period. Thank goodness for 3 pack pregnancy tests! Early, early Monday morning as Johnathan was leaving for work I thought, what the hell I'll test again. I shouted for Johnathan, not sure if he had left yet. He popped up at one end of the hall, me at the other as I told him. I was a bit in shock, excited but thinking oh lord what have we done! We met in the middle for hugs and kisses, the excitement beginning to set in.

Obviously there are extra concerns for me when I get pregnant, extra things I have to go through. But I've already conquered that mountain once, I know I can do it again (maybe even with better grace this time). I know that usually the second pregnancy just isn't as magical as the first. We humans tend to get jaded pretty quickly once we've been there and done that. And sure, I might not read the daily info on my Baby Bump app, but I'll still be interested in what fruit/veg size the baby is each week. I'm actually looking forward to being pregnant again, I like the freedom of having a big belly and not caring :). I'm certainly hoping some things are different this time. I could do without the lower back pain and could REALLY do without the acid reflux. I guess only time will tell how this one is different.

We'll probably find out the gender just before Christmas, so the reveal to family will be fun! However, be warned. We'll share gender, but the name will not be shared until baby is born. We learned our lesson last time. We don't care what other people's opinions are and people tend to give those opinons less when there's a cute little baby to stare at.

That's all for now.

Written September 6th.

9 Months...holla!

I know this blog has been very quiet lately, and I'm sorry for that. Honestly time flies and we already have ourselves a 9 month old! A really darn cute 9 month old! She had a doctor appointment on her and checked out with flying colors. Her weight is 18.96 which is 50th percentile, and her height is 28 inches which is also 50th percentile. She almost got away without any shots, but mean old mommy asked for her to get a flu shot. Of course, she didn't like it but she got a pink camo band aid!

Bonnie Brags

• She's really started to settle into a nice sleep routine. I don't have to wake up and calm her hardly at all now. She usually sleeps through the night, and if she doesn't she's learning to settle herself down. She's even started sleeping until 7ish, which is awesome for me!
• She's been walking around holding onto things for a while now, even learning to push little walkers in front of her. I'd be shocked if she didn't walk before she's 1.
• She's becoming a great little mimic. She has a "cute" little high pitch squeal she does when she sees our dog Jericho, which I'm pretty sure is her copying his bark. She can do kissing sounds with her mouth if you do them to her. Her Grandma has apparently been coughing a lot around her so now when Grandma is around she fake coughs (speaking her language I guess).
• She's not always consistent but she waves hello and goodbye.
• She's fantastic at playing by herself, which really helps when chores just HAVE to get done...or sleep.
• She really is one of the easiest babies that I know, and we're so lucky for that. We're convinced that because she's so awesome that we're in for it when we have the next one.

She loves it when Daddy goes "up! up! up!"

Eight is Great!

It's been a while since I've posted. Time seems to fly these days. If I ever thought I was busy before having a child, I laugh at my past self. It feels like there's no time for anything these days. Bonnie keeps us pretty busy, what with her getting all grown-up and stuff. She truly is a joy. Such a sweet little soul, who smiles more then she cries. Who likes getting into things with a little twinkle in her eye. Who loves vegetables, and thinks fruit is only so so (not sure where she gets that from). Who does a little jig every time I shake the puff jar. Who twists her ankles in circles like propellers when she gets excited. Who stands and walks around holding onto objects like a champ but becomes a wet leg noodle when she's over it.

Her Papaw, Great Grandmother, and Great Grandfather came to visit from PA this past week. It was a really nice visit, where they got to enjoy a lot of Bonnie time and we got to enjoy a little sleepy time. She's a little charmer, and I'm pretty sure she has a bit of each of their hearts in her little pocket.

Here comes the photo dump!

She loves mum mums

Bonnie and Papaw

Bonnie, Great Grandma, and Great Grandpa

Bonnie with the Erie Turners

Johnathan with his family

I'll have you know I was sick that day

Anything will do for a toy. Socks? Yes, please!

I'll have you know they were clean

Lucky Number 7 Months

Our baby is turning into a little minx right before our very eyes! So much changes between 6 and 7 months, her personality really comes out. She's growing so fast. I don't know how much she weighs but she definitely feels more and more solid, which is good because exploring brings along bumps. I love her squishy, chunky little tighs, and her squishy little cheeks. She really is such a sweet, happy child. Oh, don't get me wrong, she can scream and screech like the best of them, but she usually has good reason for that (shame on us for leaving her in her jumper too long!).

She's not been doing so hot on in the sleep department lately. She's started waking up sometime between 10-12 and then again sometime beginning at 4, it varies. Usually the first wake up doesn't bother me because I'm still awake. I just go in and pick her up, cuddle her back to sleep, and we're good. I'd love for that to be the only wake up, but we still have the early morning ones to deal with. Oh well, she'll grow out of it eventually.

I'm still having my random night "terrors" about her being in the bed. Last night, I gave myself a little pep talk before falling asleep. "She is not going to be in the bed! You don't ever bring her to the bed in the middle of the night! She's not going to fall off the bed! You can do this Turner!" I actually think it might have worked. I don't any recollection of having a weird moment last night.

A week or so ago, I went on a big shopping trip. Spent way too much money in an attempt to revamp my style. It was tough because I've still got a belly that if you didn't know better would convince you I was rather pregnant. Boy, pregnancy does a number on your body! Well, that and a poor diet. I was/am pretty limited in what I can wear that doesn't accentuate my belly. However, I want to start making more of an effort. I'm pretty tired of my tee shirt habits, and I'm sure my husband people are tired of looking at shlumpy me. I certainly have plans to start a workout routine and lose some of this weight before I get pregnant again, but in the meantime I can still look good. I hope I wear everything I bought and make that effort!

Enough about me! On to...

Bonnie Brags

• She's gone from looking like she might want to crawl at 6 months, to full on "crap where's she going now!" It's definitely not safe to turn your back on her for very long. She has this funny little evil laugh she does when she gets into something that she normally wouldn't have access to, it's like she knows she's not supposed to have it.
• Oh, you thought crawling was an accomplishment?! HA, she's on to bigger and better things. She loves to stand up. For a while her fav was to crawl over to me and lift up her arms so I can grab her hands and pull her to standing. Well, she doesn't need my help anymore, any ol' object will do. I walked into her room at 5:30 this morning and she was standing up in her crib, facing the door, waiting for me.
• She has two little teeth on her bottom gums, the cutest thing to see when she smiles really big (which is often). However, it also makes kisses lethal. Nothing says love like two puncture wounds and a puddle of drool on your face/arm.
• As I mentioned above, she hasn't been sleeping perfectly but whenever I go into her room to get her, she wraps her arms around my neck and snuggles her head on my shoulder. Seriously, if I've gotta be up at all hours, this is definitely the kind of treatment I like. So snuggly cute!
• Her Grandma swears she can say "kitty cat". She's tried to film it for me as evidence, but no luck yet. It'd be truly tragic unfortunate if her first words are "kitty cat" considering we don't even own a cat. But, Johnathan and I did swear we heard her say "doggie" the other day. We could have been imagining things, but you never know!
• She has a jumperoo at Grandma's and a doorway jumper here at the house. So she's very proficient in jumping. If she's chillin out and not jumping all we have to say is, "bouncy bouncy bouncy" and she'll start jumping again. It also works when she's sitting in a shopping cart, she'll start bouncing in place. So cute!

"Excuse me while I put 'anything' in my mouth"

"I'm not so sure about this peekaboo thing!"

"Yeah that's right, I can stand and I'm good at it!"

Blurry, but such cute little puffed out cheeks

No doubt she has her eye on something she shouldn't have. Also, note the nap-head she has going on.

"I don't mind putting this in my mouth either. It's from Mexico!? Even better!"

Women Belong In the Kitchen! (or do they?)

Growing up various members of my family (mostly women) insisted that I needed to learn how to cook. Of course, it's the woman's responsibility to cook in a family. I was a girl (someday woman) ipso facto I had to be able to cook. The fact that my own mother didn't know how to cook when she got married didn't seem to matter. The fact that I grew up in a house with no mother and a father (man) who cooked also didn't matter.

Now, I'm no fool in the kitchen. I can do basic cooking. I know how to boil water, scramble eggs, make grilled cheese sandwiches, brown meat, etc etc. I am a master of cans and boxes, I have yet to find one that stumps me. I'm not sure if those rudimentary skills were what they were talking about, but at least I wasn't going to starve.

Lucky for me I grew up in a household where every penny counted so I was used to simple fare. In fact, I mostly preferred it. Fancy restaurants could suck it, give me Kraft Mac and Cheese (Kraft Dinner for my Canadian readers) any day! Therefore, my style of cooking  was just fine, in fact, it suited me. But a culinary queen I would never be.

But God was looking out for me and my future children. He knew how much I love to eat and saw fit to give me a mate that would feed that hunger, and feed it well. My husband is a fantastic cook chef, and actually loves doing it (in your face voices from the past!). Sometimes I beg him for simple fare and he looks at me with a "Girl Please!" look. He just can't leave well enough alone, always adding this and that to his food, experimenting like a good cook chef should.  I've always said that he's the dreamer in our relationship and I'm the rule follower. That's what makes him a good chef, and me a semi-good baker. Because with cooking, you shouldn't follow the rules and with baking you must. Don't we just make the perfect couple!?

Thanksgiving 2011 where he did most of the cooking. Hunky, no!?

The fact that he does most of the cooking means that I have the freedom of putting Bonnie to bed without having to worry about how I'm also going to get dinner on the table, he's got it covered. However, because of Bonnie, I've also started getting the culinary bug. I'm cool with Johnathan being the master purveyor of foods, but I also want to at least dabble a little. I want my children to be able to say, "My mom makes the best ______." Heck, I thought my Dad had invented Italian Chicken until I moved out into the real world and realized it's pretty common. But that doesn't change the fact that it was some darn good chicken!

Since Bonnie was born I've started my dabbling, to bake/make some things that are tasty treats. They're not something you'd make all the time, because they're certainly not good for you, but I'll have the lock down on tasty treats in this family! Also, they aren't that hard to make, because I do have a skill limit and I'm very aware of that. Oh and don't you worry your little heads about Grandma, I've given her pies and cobblers because she's great at it and I have no interest.

Below are some of my dabbles, underlined because these are what's going in the blank above:

Pumpkin Pie- I've been making this for years and it's the only pie I'll make, in deference to Grandma (or Grammy, or YaYa, we're not really sure what to call her yet).

Has a secret ingredient, and oh so tasty

Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast with Salted Caramel-Banana Sauce

Butterscotch Scones

Chocolate Gravy- Because a childhood friend's mother always made this for us when I visited and who doesn't want to be the bomb diggity Mom who hops your children's friends up on sugar for breakfast and then sends them home to their mothers!?

Parmesan Risotto

Underwear, Unicorns, and Babies...oh my

When I was little I use to sleep walk. Sometimes it was simple: walking into the living room and telling my Dad that I was there to watch TV. Sometimes a more sordid affair: walking into the bathroom, taking off my underwear and putting it in the toilet. To the frightening: standing in the hallway outside my Dad and brothers rooms and screaming at the top of my lungs, "We're all gonna die!!!!!!"

Did you know that sleep walking is hereditary? I got my sleep walkers badge from my Grandmother. Did you know not to wake up a sleep walker? I know from personal experience that it's pretty traumatizing. To wake up from a dead sleep; to be in a place and situation you don't expect!? Tears and hysterics abound.

As I grew older, it changed. I didn't walk so much as talk. Over the last few years it manifested itself as middle of the night discussions/arguments with Johnathan.

Sleeping Me: We should really take the unicorn to the museum this weekend.
Sleepy Johnathan: What? Unicorn? You're crazy, not making sense, and you're sleeping
Indignant (sleepy) Me: I am too making sense! The unicorn! Don't tell me you don't remember the unicorn!? And I am so awake! I've been laying here thinking FOREVER!
Annoyed Johnathan: I just heard you snoring, you're not awake. Go to sleep.
Childish (grumbling) Me: Am so awake! *humph**roll over*

But here's the kicker, I would remember it all in the morning which isn't common for sleep walk/talking. The next day I would sheepishly apologize to Johnathan, and he would graciously tell me, "yeah, you were crazy." Touche.

Over the last few weeks, I've developed a new manifestation. Panicking and scrambling to keep Bonnie from either being crushed in the middle of the bed, or from falling off the bed. I'll see her shadow sitting up about to tumble, and I lunge grabbing and shaking Johnathan trying to catch her. Obviously this disturbs his sleep, because naturally any hysterical woman would disturb. The thing is, Bonnie hasn't slept in our room for at least a month so it's complete lunacy (see how I did that!? lunar. moon. night. sleep. crazy.). Aside from it bothering Johnathan, it bothers me. Who wants to have moments of panic every night? Certainly not I.

I'm sure it's because Bonnie is getting more and more mobile which means she has to be monitored more then she use to. I have a theory that every baby gets dropped at least once in their life, but we've been lucky that hasn't happened to Bonnie yet. It's "easy" to be nonchalant about dropped babies when it's not your own. Sure, sure, they're resilient, blah, blah. I know all that, it's just...it's MY BABY!

Have any of y'all gone through baby hallucinations? Or am I alone on this mattress!?