A week from today, I'm boarding the Megabus and taking it all the way. All the way to the BlogHER Convention downtown Chicago.
For some weird reason, there seems to be huge pressure on the fashion scene. What is appropriate, and what's not. I'm blaming Tim Gunn - since he will be there (insert mad case of the hives).
I'm not too concerned with what I'm wearing, my main concern is packing lightly so I can smuggle home as much swag as I possibly can muster. Apparently, it's swagtastic galore.
So, being the organized Momma that I am - I made a list! Brilliant!
Since I need two outfits a day (one daytime "I'm pretending to be a mature adult" outfit and one evening "does this outfit make me look like I do indeed get out of the house after 8pm once in a while" outfit.)
So, I wrote down my days, left blanks where I had holes to fill, and left the list on my dresser for further completion.
A day later - I found my fashion holes had been filled in by someone. Someone who I share a bed with decided that I should wear a Borat Suit to the BowlHER event and just go ahead and sleep in the nude.
Hey Casey - get yourself ready to share a room with me, cuz I be sleeping neekid, apparently.
And if you really care about the rest of the the chicken scratch, here are a few sneak peaks:
By Thursday Party: Grecian Maxi, I mean this.
By Friday Party: Shabby, I mean this.
...and I'm still looking for the perfect clutch to tie it all together.
And at the end of the day, does all this superficialness really matter? No.
Because no matter how many different ways we try to slice it, BlogHer is all woman - documenting our awesome lives post by post. We're all sitting at home in our pajamas all day, with yesterday's lunch crusted to our right shoulder. Right? No? I'm the only one?
We're all just excited to get out of the house, take a shower and put on some fancy panties. You will look fabulous, I will look fabulous. I bet we won't notice what each other will be wearing because we will be too preoccupied with the fact that "yes, this person is as awesome in real life as she is online".
Or we will just be too worried that our spanxs are cutting off our circulation to notice anything going on around us.
Hope to see you there!
Michael and I always joke that PK really doesn't ever sleep. We rarely ever actually see her sleep, with our own eyes. It's really weird when you're the parent and you never see your child sleeping.
PK does not nap. I understand this - she's almost 5 and lots of kids her age don't nap anymore. (insert exhausted mom sob)
PK gets up earlier than we do. We guess that she wakes up when Michael turns on the shower around 6:30 every morning since her room is right above ours. By the time Michael goes downstairs, she's already fixed herself breakfast and is watching cartoons.
And lately, PK goes to bed when we do. Technically, we attempt to put her to bed around 8pm. We have a ritual of brush teeth, story, drink, 2 songs, prayer and lights out.
As of the past few weeks, she has been a novel of excuses as to why she should come back downstairs after she's already been tucked in for the night. Excuses range from:
"my finger hurts"
"I need ice in my drink"
"I can't find my stuffed lion"
"my butt hurts"
"there are no spongbob movies on my camera" (ha)
"I need to tell you a joke"
"I hear a scary sound that's freaking me out"
"I need binoculars to star gaze"
"I see dead people" (ok, maybe I made this one up)
And as of recently - when we punish her and angrily tell her to get her bootie back in the sack, we find that she skips her bed all together and finally falls asleep in a nest on the stair landing.
To make matters worse, and as scary as it sounds; we're on the eve of moving Birdie up to PK's room with her. Birdies lease is up in the nursey and we have a new tenant moving in in just a few months.
I need to nip this sleeping issues in the bud before it becomes double trouble.
Suggestions? Sympathies? I think it's time to instill the fear.
I've always suspected that I'm in the class of quite introverts. I wouldn't consider myself anti-social or uncomfortable in social settings - I just really love quite times way more than the social scene.
When it comes to situations of nightmare proportions, mine typically revolve around making speeches or talking in front of a large group of people (with my clothes on).
No joke, being the center of attention will give me a bad case of the hives and sweaty pits.
When I used to work in a more corporate-type setting, if I knew I would be making a presentation that day; I would wear a turtleneck that day - no matter what the temp outside was. I needed the protection to hide my hives.
A few weeks ago, I took the all-famous Myers-Briggs personality test. Yesterday I got my results back and analyzed. Basically what the test does is determines your personality type so you can better understand yourself.
I'm an "ISFP", if that means anything to you at all. That stands for Introverted Feeling with Extroverted Sensing.
But here is where I take issue with my introvertedness. It's true I get crazy uncomfortable sharing in large groups - but I'll blog about it and write it all down for the world to read.
Online - I'm the farthest thing from being introverted.
Don't you think blogging is an extroverted activity because you're sharing so much of your life with strangers? And isn't blogging kinda like enjoying hearing yourself talk? (which is totally an extroverted trait)
Or is it an introverted activity because you sit at your computer all by your lonesome plucking away at the keyboard? (by yourself)
Anyway, I would love to hear what you think. I'm confused and (silently) conflicted.
Extroverts - talk amongst yourself while us introverts listen...
Even though your day has come to a close, I must pay tribute to you. As you are fast asleep in your crib, I think of you.
My dear Birdie, today you turned 2 years old.
I remember your birth like it was yesterday. Folks were placing bets on whether or not you were going to be a lucky 7-7-07 child. I had my doubts.
We didn't even know if you were a "he" or a "she", although Daddy had a sneaky pink suspicion.
You were a week overdue, it was 90 degrees out, and I was calling for your eviction. When the time came for your arrival, you waited for nobody - not even a nurse or a doctor was present.
We call you Birdie for two reasons. When you started to laugh, you sreeched like a baby bird. It was the funniest and most sweetest sound you could make.
Now the baby laugh is mostly gone but your nickname still remains. Since you're such a tiny little lady, - Birdie still just seems to fit you. Small, delicate, and dainty.
Our little Bird.
I am so in love with you - to this I cannot lie.
While I type this little letter, my belly is growing with your sibling. Can I apologize now for making you a middle child?
Sometimes between you and your sister, my heart burst and I wonder if I'll have enough love to go around.
But I know there will be.
~Mom
This just might be my favorite weekend of the whole year.
So in exactly 21 days, I'm going to a blogging conference called BlogHER. Have you heard of it? I hadn't - until last year. Apparently, it's the place to be - where you go to socialize all things blogalicious and more importantly, get down with your geeky self at all the luscious PAR-TAYS.
While I'm excited to attend, I'm kinda (very) nervous at the same time. Why? Because it's the one chance you get to meet "all those amazing blogger you read all year long and finally get to meet face to face".
Did you just hear me?
MEET FACE TO FACE.
And while I'm not scared to meet them - I'm a bit scared for them to meet me. (see me in the fetal position over there by the punch bowl). In my mind, they will meet me - walk away and think "wow, she wasn't anything like what I expected her to be like."
Already having 2 small children (and another healthy little one on the way) I teeter dangerously close to the edge of a true fashion disaster. People, I need to do a full on factory restore on my head of hair. I'm sick of looking like a pregnant mother of two small children who has forgotten about herself.
I could give you one million and one lame mommy reasons why I've let myself get this bad (because it's definitely been a long process), but you know you've heard them before and I'm just too tired to sound like a broken record. waaa waaa whaaa...
See that smaller face in the picture right there? While she might be cute, she's freaked out. She's thinking to herself, "who is this scary woman who never showers, forgets to wears makeup and has a perma-ponytail in her hair?"
Can you hear this child's screams for help? People, help her help me.
Why am I whining to you all about my hair woes? Because I want to win a contest - that's why.
Fellow bloggers Susan, Heather and Danielle (all with much better hair than I) are putting together a little contest where they (with the help of Sparrow Hair and Whoorl) will makeover 4 lucky bloggers with new beautiful hairdo!
I need to be one of these lucky bloggers.
It, we, I have potential!
We're just really, really stuck in a moment...
Honestly, I cannot believe that this pregnancy is almost halfway done already. Tomorrow we go in for the 20 week ultrasound to see if all the bits and pieces are developing on schedule.
Since we don't find out the sex, it's really about all the bits and pieces. I do have anxiety about it, because at the end of the day, I always remember that God is in control and whatever we see will be ok.
Last week a few of you asked a couple questions about #3, so I thought that this would be a good time to respond.
Amy asked about how the girls will respond to a new baby. I have no doubt that PK will do great, she's super excited. Birdie on the other hand, I'm worried about. Let's just say she has lots of growing up to do in the next 20 weeks.
Miss E asked if always know you wanted 3 or are more in the plans? Well....I've always known that I've wanted at least 3. To tell you the truth, I could see myself with 4 (if not 5). But, if you talk to my husband, his plans seem to differ from mine. He keeps reminding me that this is my last pregnancy. He's all worried about feeding, clothing and educating his children.
Sarah asked a whole slew of questions - so let's see.
1. What am I craving? nothing. no seriously, nothing.
2. How often do I slather cream on my belly to prevent stretch marks? Well Sarah, never. PK gave me more stretch marks that can fit on my belly. Damage done. I got millions!
3. Where am I shopping? Online. I think I'll make a separate post about it soon. I will give you a preview - I bought this is every color.
4. If I have a boy, can we set up an arraigned marriage? Sure! That totally will work, right?
Moosh in Indy will be watching PK and Birdie while we're at the Dr's. She keeps telling me that for her babysitting payment, all she needs is SEX.
I've never paid for babysitting services with sex.
In other words, I need to have the ultrasound tech put in an envelop what the sex of the baby is - for her eyes only. She claims to be a good secret keeper. I'm almost tempted.
But then I just might kill her with curiosity...
And many of you have asked for a belly shot. Here you go, enjoy.
(most adorable and comfortable maternity/nursing shirt by peek-a-boo, just in case you were wondering)
It's my husbands 30th birthday today. I had started a post earlier this week titled "30 things about him" - where I was going to bullet point 30 things I love about him.
The week has gotten away from me as it typically does, and even lovely sentiments like this post go unfinished.
Unfinished feels like a motto for my life lately.
So, I ask for your help. If you know my husband, leave a comment on this post; say something nice would ya?
If you don't know him, you can tell him how awesome his wife is, I mean, just let him know you were here and wish him a Happy Birthday!
Maybe together as a collective effort we can come up with 30 things. Or at least 30 comments? That would be awesome.
Michael, I love you and am sorry I'm so tired, lazy and unmotivated lately.
I blame it on the heat. If your birthday was in January it would have been so much cooler. Cooler - get it? In January?
I realize that since making the "big announcement" over a month ago regarding the new beebe in mah belleh, I've really not said much more. Some of you are probably glad that this blog hasn't been consumed by daily baby update post, others are probably shocked that it hasn't.
The truth is, this blog reflects my life. Lately, I feel so busy with the children outside my womb that the little one inside doesn't get much press time. If I was being honest here (and I try to be), this pregnancy is flying by primarily because I don't focus on it too much. Aside from the standard no sushi, alcohol, hot tub, and remeber to take your prenatal horsepill before bedtime precautions - it's pretty much business as usual around the DesignHER Momma house.
I tell you what - being pregnant for the 3rd time is a whole different ballgame from being pregnant with your 1st born. Am I right ladies? Holla.
Questions, Questions - you all have been asking me questions lately and I'll try to answer some of them.
When are you due? Thanksgiving Freakin' Day. That's right - I'm due on a holiday. That means that if I do actually end up delivering on my due date all the staff at the hospital will probably be crabby because their working when they would rather be watching football at their in-laws.
Are you going to find out the sex? No. We will be waiting until the big day and you can too. I really don't care what the sex is - we love our ladies and would pee our pants with joy if it was a little dude.
Have you thought of names? Not yet. Regardless of the sex, PK has named the baby "Kiki". Baby names really stress me out. If you have any suggestions for me - send them my way.
Am I physically HUGE already? Absolutely. My wicked next door neighbor just asked me yesterday when I was due. When I told her, she cackled and said "I though you were due in August". Then she rode off on her wooden broom.
So.....what else am I missing? What are you dying to know?
Some Fathers like to go fishing for their "special day". My husband choose to go Phishing.
Friday night Michael and I headed out to the concert to enjoy some good ole' flashbacks of our younger and more carefree years.
I can't really say just how many Phish concerts I've attended during my early 20's - if I had to guess I would think it was around 12-15 shows.
I even endured the 2000 "Big Cypress" New Years Eve extravaganza down in the Florida Everglades for 4 days.
Talk about traffic jams, overflowing port-a-potties, no running water and a 7.5 hour concert through the night. I lived it. (picture above to prove it).
Phish has never been "my thing". I've never been one of those crazy hippie chicks dancing in the rain with glow sticks in my hair. Phish has always been Michael's "thing" - and since I've always wanted him to be "my thing", I've endured countless shows.
A few observations I've made over the years regarding Phish fans:
- You will never be the dirtiest, someone is always dirtier. It's very much a "come as you are crowd". Seriously, forget shaving your legs or your pits, it's just not worth it.
- You will never be the stinkiest, someone will always be stankier. (which will come in handy if you ate Qdoba for dinner and have a bad case of the toots during the show - just sayin').
- You will never be the drunkest, most high, or most messed up. Someone will alway have you beat. Ironically, that person will always choose to sit right next to you. You will spend most of the concert praying they don't pass out and die.
- You will never be "the only girl who forgot to put on her bra".
- No matter how many shows you've been to, they will always play the "most wicked" 40 minute jam of Tweezer.
- Fortunately, you will never go hungry. Somebody is always selling "the best brownies in the galaxy", "the most amazing veggie burrito" or "the hottest grilled cheese in the parking lot".
- Getting hit with a glow stick will always be the highlight in the show, especially if they are playing Fluffyhead for the first time in like 10 years. 10,000 glowstick being flung through the air = priceless.
*all these observations made by a girl that has been 100% sober for every Phish show she's ever attended. My PSA: Be cool, stay in school, and don't do drugs.
Friday night, I would have given anything to get out of going to that concert. I was so tired from my week in Chicago that I couldn't even see straight. And even though Phish has never been "my thing", my husband and the father of my girls has always been "my thing".
And for him, I would spend every weekend with Phish fans...
(but secretly praying the break up, again.)
Friends,
My gal Ordinary Sarah is on vacation this week and she's asked that I do a blog sitting while she's away.
I've taken over her Friday edition of the Hot Mama Revolution and I'm talkin' shoes.
Please visit me there and leave a little comment luv that you stopped over while she was away.
Thanks and enjoy your weekend.
~emily
. I had seen it's male counterpart before, and was excited that they finally came out with an edition for the little ladies.