A Day in the Life of Kidd-O

Life with a 2 year old is....interesting....never dull....tiring....eye opening...we'll just stick with interesting. I mentioned a few weeks back that my child was petrified to go out side and when he finally mustered enough courage to step out into the great outdoors, all bets were off when an airplane decided to go by....because, you know, what is more terrifying than an airplane? 

Well, I am happy to report that The Kid has overcome that fear, but that "cute" little quality was replaced by his "darling" need to be by-my-side, under-my-feet, won't-let-me-pee-without-supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. His favorite question is "Momma, what are you doing?" and he just loves to ask that question no less than 575,269 times per day. It's sooooo......sweet. 

 While having a 2 year old is very...interesting, it has been a lot of fun too. While I could do without his persistent need to know where I am and what I am doing ALLL THE TIME, I know that I will miss this. I will miss so much about this stage of our lives. Kidd-O is funny, chatty, full of life, and I couldn't imagine life without that ever present smile. 

 I will remind myself of all of this next week when we really crack down on this potty training business. We are off to a great start though, so I am hopeful that it will be a success!

The Name Game....

Women and baby names are a very precarious thing. Feathers get ruffled, panties get in wads, and people will undoubtedly have strong opinions when they dislike names. For example, I was 13 when one of my sisters was born. My parents were all ready to name their new baby girl Francesca Rose-Maria (Italian much?). Well me, being in Middle School, the court of Public Opinion was of utmost importance and the Jury was back on the name Francesca and the verdict wasn't good. So in "not-so-rare-middle-school-Ashley form", I pitched a royal fit...in the hospital and refused to have a sister named Francesca...it was awful to me. I cried and cried...in the hospital. And my mother, exhausted from bringing her 5th child in the world was really in no mood to argue, and for some reason she gave in and let me pick out her first name and Francesca would be the middle name. To make a long story short, the name Hannah was chosen and I vowed to call her Hannah even while everyone else called her Francesca. It was my solemn vow....it's now 15 years later and I've never, not once, called her Hannah. No one has. And it wasn't long before my mom came to her senses and has often wished she went through the process to change it. I'm reminded of this story....a lot. But I still say "Who let's a 13 year old name their kid anyway??"

All that to say, names are a funny thing. Do you share the name and risk them being "stolen" but at least you staked your claim? Do you keep the name quiet because you absolutely don't want to risk some name hungry pregnant woman stealing your preciously clever name? Or do you plead ignorance to avoid unsolicited opinions (like my mom did with babies 6,7, and 8 after the Francesca fiasco)? What if you love the name of the child who lives 5 doors down that you see twice a year at the pool? Is it copying? What if you love a name, but someone beat ya to it? Do you still use it? Welllllllll, all of these questions have certainly popped into my mind at one time or another, even with Cooper. But, I had a conversation with my mom this week about my current predicament and she wisely asked me "Who cares?!" she said "Ashley, if you love the name, use it. It's going to be that child's name for the next 80+ years, and you shouldn't base your decision on negative opinions or if the name has already been used before." So, that was it. I made my decision based on what I feel so strongly is this little girls name....that, and apparently my youngest sister has already told her class what her new niece's name is . And because I'm not so good at keeping surprises a secret, I'll tell you too.Well, let's just say.....

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And for those who know me well, this name doesn't have any 'splanin" to do.
 

So, it's a girl....now what?

I'm a sucker for milestones. I know that life is full of them, and they are all unique to themselves. One first kiss. One first day of High School. One wedding day. And only a handful of babies.Which is why I was totally bummed when Mr. Clean had an important meeting yesterday morning and had to miss the long anticipated 20 week baby appointment. But I asked my 90 year old Mema to join, because this would be a milestone for her too-- the first time she has ever seen a sonogram.

 I'm also a sucker for savoring these milestone moments. Every feeling and thought I want soaked up and savored. Which is why I have this blog and no longer have to keep folded up pieces of paper in a decorated shoe box under my bed.

Yesterday, I found out that life is about to get very interesting in the Lee household. Yesterday, I found out that we are about to be blessed with a little girl. My husband, the one with the hard exterior, is over the moon and beaming... just like any daddy of a little girl should be. Honestly, I was thinking another little boy would be great! And frankly, I didn't think I'd be so blessed to have one of each. So, my first thought when the tech showed me that our baby was a girl was "Lord, you are too good to me" and then I thought "I hope Mr. Clean sells a lot of light bulbs (or whatever it is that he does sell)" because I'm about to buy every bow, every legging, every bloomer, and every smocked dress this side of the Mason-Dixon line.....seriously. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was just as excited as my husband. Because, girlfriend, I am. I'm so excited that our rough and tumble home will made softer by the presence of ribbons and curls. And even though we will have some "fun times" in about 13 years, I know that my girl will be around even when my boy decides to get married and leave me....WAHHH!!!!! Thank heaven for little girls, I know I am!

 But in all fairness...we were prepared for this baby to be a boy too and would have been thrilled.

Blue or Pink? What do you think??

We find out Tuesday whether this little kiddie is a boy or a girl! Take a guess at the poll to the right! Mr. Clean is pretty much convinced it's a girl. He won't really hear of any other option. And I would love another little boy! On the other hand, It'd be nice to have a little girl too. But on the other hand, I already have the boy thing down so that would make for an easy transition to 2.Although on the other hand, I think Kidd-O would love loving on a little sister and this house could use some pink. On the other hand....I'm starting to sound like Tevya on Fiddler on the Roof, so I'll stop now..... As you can tell, I'll be thrilled either way!!