This is my very last Pickled Post! I’m sad to say goodbye, but I’ve known for nearly two months what I want to write about today: All the many little blessings this pregnancy has brought me.

It began with the opportunity to write this blog for Wiser Pregnancy. As a stay-at-home mom, I live in a world of goo-goo, ga-ga and lots of poopy butts. So it’s nice to step outside of that – even if it’s only online – and participate in this world as an adult. Writing also allows me to get all the millions of things I think about every day out of my head and into a place where they can do some good. It’s where I can vent and process feelings, as well as celebrate and capture all the special moments in my pregnancy, birth and so-called fourth trimester that I’d otherwise eventually forget all about. Hopefully I’ve been able to make you laugh, commiserate and feel understood as a parent, too.

I’ve also been blessed with Read the rest of this entry »

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Oh the crazy positions you’ll find me in…

At this very instant, I’m lying down stretched out on my left side with my boob popped out, nursing Baby. And typing. Because that’s the only way it’s going to get done. (And why yes, I am talented!)

Other times you’ll find me driving down the street with my left hand on the wheel and the other Read the rest of this entry »

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As a new mother, you will endure an onslaught of unwanted advice or “help.” It’s just inevitable. Period. No mother in the history of motherhood was able to evade it.

Granted, some advice (while perhaps not well-timed) is good advice you may be glad to have later. Other times, not so much.

My first run-in with unwanted “advice” was as a new mom with Lil’Tex. As I was getting out of my car, mere steps from the entrance to the bank I was about to go in to, a lady in the backseat of the car next to me opened her door and started chatting me up about the baby. After a minute or so of talking my ear off about I don’t remember what, as I struggled to get my weeks-old infant’s carseat unsnapped from its base and secured into the stroller, she looked at me with disdain and let me have it: “Don’t you have a blanket for him or something? He must be so cold, poor thing! You really should dress him warmer.” And then she slammed her door shut. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ok, so even though having two kids is certainly a challenge at times – and will continue to be so – I’m actually finding it to be more and more enjoyable as the weeks go on. We seem to have found our rhythm!

Things that just weeks ago felt like monumental tasks aren’t so difficult anymore. Getting in and out of the car is a breeze. I can take two kids to the grocery store by myself and the world isn’t going to end. I can be home all day with two kids (one who’s waking up at 6 a.m. every day!) without going batty; or I can take them to the park or a friend’s house if I do get cabin fever.

I’m even going to take a 7-hour road trip with the two little ones in just a month… by myself. Whoa! I know, crazy, right?

Even crazier still, Read the rest of this entry »

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I talk a lot about moms on this blog. Because, well, let’s face it; we do all the hard work for nine months! And even after Baby is born, moms are typically the ones hired to pull the 24/7 shift.

But that doesn’t mean dads are any less important. In fact, if it weren’t for the support of Mr.BabyDaddy, having kids wouldn’t be nearly as pleasant. I can’t imagine doing it alone and I hope I never have to.

So on this Father’s Day, here’s my ode to Mr.BabyDaddy, the father of my children: Read the rest of this entry »

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You know how sometimes you think you have the world’s most difficult job and then you meet someone who puts it all into perspective and makes you rethink how easy you really have it?

Well, I met a woman recently who did that for me. She has twins. And a baby. Not only does she have one more kid than I do, her kids are terrifyingly close in age.

Let’s do a little math: Her twins are 20 months old. Her baby is 6 months old. That means they’re 14 months apart.

But wait… Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s my 100^th post! I can’t believe I’ve had that much to say about pregnancy and parenting – but then again, it’s what my world is all about. All day, every day.

To mark this occasion, here are 10 (because, hey, 100 is a LOT!) things you will inevitably do as a mother (at least, if you’re like me):

1. You will ignore the advice to “sleep when the baby sleeps.” And when that baby sleeps less and less, you will really regret not following this advice. You will want a nap. Bad. And when you have your second child and realize it’s not possible to sleep when the baby sleeps because you now have a toddler who naps once a day, not necessarily when the baby sleeps, you will REALLY regret not following this advice.

2. You will eat your own words regarding parenting. Which means you will become that mom (read: woman with screaming child in restaurant). And yes, you will (regrettably) talk more enthusiastically about poo than you ever thought possible. Read the rest of this entry »

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There’s nothing quite like breastfeeding to make you feel like you haven’t had a drop of water in weeks… even when you’ve been sucking it down all day. Nursing is extremely dehydrating if you don’t stay on top of your fluid intake.

Keeping up with my body’s hydration needs so I can then feed and hydrate my baby is almost a full-time job. I’m constantly refilling my water glass and still feel like I could drink more.

I’m also quite enjoying chugging down juice, something I normally steer clear of because of all the liquid calories. (Why would I want to drink my calories instead of eat them? Unless we’re talking about a muy grande margarita, of course!) Luckily, nursing also sucks the calories right off of you, too. Read the rest of this entry »

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I did it. I took both kids out today. Not just to the back yard… we went all the way to a park rampant with play structures, kids and sunshine. And we all survived it!

And it’s only been a week since our disastrous outing for Lil’Tex’s school picnic.

Of course, there are a few good reasons we were able to get away unscathed. One, Read the rest of this entry »

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We’re only five and a half weeks in and already I feel like he’s a whole different baby already. (He’s also a very good eater!) See for yourself!

Baby’s Birth Day

1 Week Old

2 Weeks Old Read the rest of this entry »

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