Only child status about to expire...

I'm getting a bit emotional over Will losing his only child status.

I know it's silly and that he will never know life without his brother. But I can't help but feel like I'm robbing him of additional time he needs to be the only kid in the house. Is this irrational?😳😳

The fact that I'm an only child only complicates matters. I never knew life with a sibling and always had the full attention from my parents. As they have said, every day was Kay Day. I feel blessed for that. 💞

Even though Greg's brother is six years his junior, he really doesn't remember his life without Kevin in it. He very much enjoyed his constant companion and appreciates being fully in adulthood with him now.🌸🌺🌹

I'm continuing to treasure our last moments of a family of 3. Time is fleeting and memories fade, but I hope to forever keep some mental snapshots of Will as my only baby. I hope he knows how much we love him and that we are not trying to replace him with BBL2. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

I've been told the heart only expands when another child is born. I'm hoping this is the case and that someday Will will feel blessed that he has a lifelong companion in his little bro...

#feelingemotional #isthisnormal #allthefeelings 👶🏻👶🏻💗💗💞💞

No rush!

I'm already learning a big lesson as a soon-to-be mama of 2. 😳😳

Chances are, your second child will be nothing like your first, especially in terms of personality. Will arrived over two weeks early and already has a type A, take charge, and independent kind of personality (Sound familiar?!! 😂😂😂). BBL2 is still quite comfortable in the womb. While still head down, he has no immediate plans to vacate, and I have not dilated further. As my awesome MIL said, "So he will be the always late brother." Maybe. 😜😜

In all honesty, I'm in no rush for BBL2 to come. We will only be 38 weeks along this weekend, and it's been fun having some bonus time as a family of three. We have some more adventures planned this weekend too. ☀️☀️🌟🌟💗💗

While I cannot wait to meet BBL2, I'm quite content with the here and now. I need to treasure the remaining time I have with Will as an only child, relax, and have faith that BBL2 will arrive on his own sweet time.🙏🏻💪🏻💞

And my inner control freak just got a little more tamed. That will only continue, I'm sure. 👏👏🏼👏🏾🤗

Happy Mother's Day!

We are ready. And now officially full term. 😳😳😳

Hospital bags are (mainly) packed, house organizational projects are done, and full-on nesting behaviors resulted in great productivity again this weekend.💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

We're ready for you, BBL2. But if you can hold off until after Wednesday morning, that would be grrrreat.😜😜😜

I'm still on a high from Mother's Day. My boys thoroughly spoiled me. 🌷🌼🌸💐🌺🌹

Here are 10 ways they made my 2nd official special day one to remember:

1. Giving me time to myself -- and to Barre -- this morning.

2. Dexter behaving like a true gentleman at the groomer's.

3. A protein-loaded breakfast with green tea.

4. Flowers and adorable cards galore.

5. A family walk in the SUN (Amen!), complete with Will's antics on the slides.

6. Greg taking the lead with Will today and ensuring I didn't have to change ONE diaper.

7. An awesome dinner out in Frederick.

8. Will behaving like an absolute angel throughout the meal!

9. Greg taking care of Will after he vomited up the rich food from dinner after going to bed, even sticking his face into a pile of vomit accidentally and not complaining. Will spent the time laying on the bed staring at Greg, hands behind his head wondering what the heck Dada was doing. #myboysarefunny 😂😂😂

10. And my favorite part of the day -- Discovering dozens of index cards hidden throughout the house, each detailing a specific reason why I rock as a Mommy (written by Greg but from Will's POV). Sooooo sweet!

It's true -- I am beyond blessed. 💞💞💞

Hope all of you amazing Mamas were spoiled silly today and enjoyed every moment of it with your loved ones!! 💗💗💗

What a day!

What a crazy day! 😬😬😬

From seeing BBL2 in 3D this morning (and discovering that I'm already 1.5 cm dilated) to an active shooter in our county, it's been quite the Friday. All schools in my county were on shelter and/or lockdown, and I am beyond thankful the suspect is now in custody (after killing 2 people and seriously injuring 2 more at 3 different sites). You really aren't safe anywhere anymore, I suppose. 😪😪

In better news, we finally got to see BBL2 for the first time since January! His measurements look great, and he's about 6 lb and 3 oz so far (I will be 37 weeks this weekend). My doctor wants me to consume more protein to help the little guy gain more fat before his big arrival. I really am committed to doing so, even if it means taking Ensure drinks with me everywhere I go like an 80 year old. Hey, they're not THAT disgusting. 😝😝

The fact that I am already starting to dilate really means we need to finish packing our hospital bags this weekend and be prepared for BBL2's arrival any day. Will came 15 days early after a fast labor, so we shall see what this guy decides to do. I would just love for him to make it through my next interview next Wednesday!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

It's getting real. VERY real. I'm come down with some sort of cold and sore throat, so I really need to get more rest this weekend while I still can! I will certainly regret it later if I don't. 💤💤💤💤

Stay in a little longer, BBL2!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Interview tips!

It's been a looooong day.

I think things went well today with the interview, but I'm always my own worst self-critic.

10 things to consider to NOT look and sound like a blubbering, rambling fool during a job interview: 😝😝😝

1. Be prepared. Think of questions you may be asked ahead of time and how you would answer them. Write them down if that suits your learning style!📝📝📝

2. Have a friend do a mock interview with you. They really do help!👏🏼👏🏿👏🏾

3. Do your homework, and figure out what questions -- if any -- you want to ask your potential new employer.🗄📋🗃

4. Shake everyone's hands when you enter the room and again right before you leave.🌟

5. Use clear and concise answers. Don't ramble for the sake of rambling.💞

6. Use calm breathing to get rid of nerves before the interview (2 inhales in, 4 exhales out).🙏🏻🙏🏻

7. Make eye contact and stay really present throughout the interview.😳😳😳

8. Always have water, a notepad, and pen on hand.

9. Make every word you say count.

10. Be confident in what you bring to the table, and let your inner passion come through!

And, on this 4th of May, may the fourth be with you!!💗💗💗

A day!

It's been a day. That's for sure. 😬😬😬

10 things currently on my mind:😝

1. The future of our great nation 😳😳

2. My big interview tomorrow 😳😳😳😳😳

3. How much I absolutely adore all of my boys😍😍😍😍

4. When will BBL2 arrive?🙄🤔🤗

5. How blessed I feel in general🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

6. Gratitude for still being able to work out and feel great at 9 months preggers🌟🌟

7. How awesome it is that my Dad will finish his 9 weeks of radiation on Monday👏👏💞

7. What would I do without Panera?🍽🍽

8. The baby kicks and hiccups still aren't getting old!👶🏻👶🏻

9. Knowing I want to come back in my next life as a spoiled small dog a la Dexter🐶🐶🐶

10. Still cannot believe it's May and that I will be the Mommy of 2 boys under 2 this month. How on earth did this happen... and soooo quickly!??😱😱😱💞💞💞

Teachers rock BTW. Do something nice for a special teacher this week in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. We appreciate it more than you know! 👏🏼👏🏿👏🏾📝🏆

Stop the judging!

Most of you know that I'm an only child. 

Growing up, I can still remember my parents constantly being asked, "So, when's the second kid coming?" I don't remember how they responded but assumed they wanted a smaller, calmer, and quieter family with me than they had growing up, with 4 and 5 siblings respectively. 😀

Or, they would simply say, "How could anyone ever follow adorable, precious little you?!!" Ha!! 😂😂😂

It wasn't until a few years ago that I learned the truth -- my mom almost had a massive stroke and nearly died while giving birth to me. Her blood pressure shot so high up that she had to be completely isolated for five days in a dark, quiet room following my birth, unable to see her newborn or husband. As my Dad said, "How could I even ask her for a second child after that?!" Fair point.

This story -- and our own initial struggle with infertility -- makes me hyper sensitive over asking anyone when they are going to pop out a kid, be if their first or fourth. Frankly, it is none of my business. I firmly believe that every person needs to make the decision for what works best for his or her family and partner. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Greg and I always knew we wanted more than one kid, which at one time seemed nearly impossible as we struggled having our first. We feel beyond blessed to be welcoming our second son into the world this month (hopefully!) and plan to fully support our friends and family in their path to completing their families, be it with no kids or seven.🌟🌟

Every family is different. Every family is special. And every family deserves the right to bring life into the world in the way that best suits them.💞💞💞

Let's celebrate one another for having the courage to make decisions that are best for US and stop with the assumptions and unnecessary judgment. That gets us nowhere.

#familyfirst #letsbealliesandnotenemies #youdoyou 

http://www.parenting.com/parenting-advice/mom/nope-were-not-having-second-kid