New Obsession

Lately I've been obsessed with the discount designer and coupon sites that are sprouting up all over. I subscribe to at least 5. There's the hyper local sites like Groupon that give everyday deals like 50% of a massage or $10 off a local restaurant. Then there's the sample sale sites like Gilt that give deep discounts on great clothes, shoes, bags. Here's a list of my go to sites:

Swirl by Daily Candy

Gilt Group

Zulily ( for children)

Plum District

Groupon

They're all email subscription based and a great past time for those shoppers out there. But don't steal my deal!

Appointments are my life

Last Friday I had my OB appointment and my doctor said I was measuring big. No. Really? I've gotten so huge I think I weigh more than my husband. The "measuring big" thing didn't surprise me. Also, Maddox was 9lbs 4oz at birth so I knew this next one would be just as big. She scheduled me for an ultrasound on Monday. Luckily with Maddox's tonsil surgery...oh did I mention he goes in for surgery on Tuesday?...I already had the day off to take him to his pre-op appointment. The ultrasound proved that I'm big. How many people have to tell me that?? It also showed that I have extra amniotic fluid and that the umbilical cord is expanded. This is all resulting in twice weekly non-stress tests and another US in three weeks. And this is on top of my bi-weekly OB appointments. I'll be living in the doctor's office. Oh and on top of all this I hurt my foot. Not sure how. I can barely walk on it. So, I have an appointment tomorrow with my primary care doctor to take a look at it. Please don't put me in a cast!

To be happy

There's been several responses to the NY Mag article that came out last week regarding parents not being happy. I have to say what made me unhappy was reading this article. Kids or no kids, life has it's ups and downs. Everyone makes sacrifices. Not just parents. Your life is what you make it. There's going to be great highs and low lows. But for me, not to have children, just to be able to go to an occasional rock concert on a whim is not my idea of happiness. Seeing my son's first smile or watching him grow into a little man is.

Look of the week- Summer in San Francisco

I think being fashionable when pregnant takes effort. I try my best and long for the days when I could just buy the new summer styles on a whim, but being 7 months pregnant has it's challenges. Pants will never fit right and the maternity stores out there sell real dreadful designs. I managed to come up with a pretty decent wardrobe that consists of maxi dresses, skinny jeans and a few non-maternity tops that still fit over my growing bump.

Here's one look that I came up with:

This is mostly non-maternity wear. The white tuxedo jacket is from H&M, the top is from Diesel, pants from Motherhood Maternity, hat from Nordstrom and shoes are miz mooz.

Send me your favorite look, whether your pregnant or a veteran mom, I'd like to see some fashionable moms!

Sell! Buy!

There never seems to be a dull moment in the life of us. Whenever I think we've hit a pace of tranquility another bulldozer comes through and rocks the foundation. Ok, well maybe not a bulldozer, but a remote control monster truck for sure.

Before we left on our two week trip to Italia we decide to put our condo on the market. Yes, me 7 months pregnant with a 3 year old, full time job, hard working husband and leaving for two weeks. We scrambled to get the place in "showing" order and off we went leaving our real estate agent the keys and our best wished. After the second showing we got an email saying that we received an offer. Wow! That was quick. The offer...too low. We countered, they countered, we countered again. All while relaxing with a bowl of pasta in 1000 year old towns. When we arrived back the counter offer was still on the table. Our agent then emailed saying it's done! They accepted! Off to the Internet I trudged to look for a new abode. Two hours later, "oh no wait, I was misinformed. sorry" So no, they didn't accept.

Two days later the bidders are back and wanting another look. They're coming by tonight and thank god I hid the dirty underwear. So, maybe by tomorrow we will have an offer on the table again.

Amidst the selling of the condo, Maddox is going in for a tonsillectomy in a month. Poor bugger. And he's getting a new brother in 3 months, and he's changing classrooms at school. Should I get a therapist for him now?

Wish us luck on the sale.

Quattro Giorni

Four days and we'll be on a flight to Italy. It's currently 80 degrees in Rome. We also decided, since we don't have enough going on, to put our condo on the market. We knew we'd be moving once we have a second child, but we met with a great realtor and he convinced us to start open house while we are away. It will help with the intrusion it becomes. In best case scenario we may sell our place before we even return from Europe. So, 6 months pregnant, trip to Europe and selling a house. This will be an exciting few months. It will also be bittersweet. If our place sells, I'll be a bit sad for a while. This is our first place together. Where we lived when we got married, where we raised Maddox for the past three years. Lots of memories.

On a baby note, we decided on a name for boy #2. Sacha and I have been pouring over names and nothing really struck us or if it did the other didn't like it. Finally today we decided. I'll let it slip later, in case we change our minds again, but it's definitely a relief knowing we agree on at least one name!

Hair, glorious hair

Maddox: " I like your haircut, Mommy" ( I didn't get a haircut, I just took it out of the bun it was in all day so it was kinky and wavy)

Me: "Thank you, baby"

Maddox: "It's pretty", "You look like girl"

Thanks.

My boy

Maddox continues to amaze us everyday. He's growing so fast now and learning so much. The things he says. The looks he gives. The little man he's growing to be. My heart is full of love every time I look at him. He is truly a sweet loving child. He now says "I love you, mommy" out of the blue. He gives random hugs to dad. For the past week he's been crawling into bed with us just before our alarms go off, just to cuddle. I am cherishing this time with him now, before number 2 comes. Pretty soon it won't be just the three of us. This time is special.

Tre Settimane

We have planning a trip to Italy for months now and it's three weeks away. The scope of the trip is to travel to Rome for four days and then to Tuscany for 12 days. The latter half of the Tuscany portion will be spent with my husband's family in an 18 person villa.

Traveling to Italy with a 3.5 year old and being 6 months pregnant will be interesting. But not impossible. My attitude is to take things in stride, take it slow and not expect to see everything. Of course the whole purpose of a vacation is to relax, so I'm looking forward to the relaxing part.

Here is the list of hotels/villas we'll be staying at:

Rome- 4 days

Hotel Capo d-Africa
via Capo d'Africa 54, 00184 Rome, Italy



The reason we chose this hotel is that it is right near the Colesuem and the blurb they had about child guests:
We pamper children providing a welcome gift
upon arrival, babysitting with 24 hour
notice, child-size bathrobes, children’s
amenities, colouring books and
crayons, bedtime milk & cookies,
assistance for family oriented activities
and much more!

Tuscany- 4 days
Hotel Tenuta di Ricavo
I 53011 Castellina in Chianti
Siena - Toscana - Italy



The reason we went with this spot was, well...the pictures were amazing. And it has two pools!

Finally we'll be at this amazing villa for 7 days.

Sole del Chianti
Via Bonazza, 8
50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (Firenze) Tuscany



Just look at the picture. I think it says it all.

We are excited. I was explaining to Maddox about Gelato yesterday. I don't believe he got that it is ice cream, but he will, oh he will.

More to come!

20 Weeks

What a week. First, the surprise party I threw for Sacha's 40th birthday was a success. It's something I've been planning for months. We got the private room at Absinthe Brasserie, private full bar and a three course meal. I invited all our closest friends from SF, LA and NY. Sacha was completely surprised. He even made a little speech that made himself cry as well as most of the women in the room. It was such a good night. We felt very loved and realized yet again that friends for us are just important as family.

Next, I'm getting H.U.G.E. I feel like I'm already 8 months. It's getting harder to move around, my feet are swelling and my belly just exploded into a large basketball.
Proof is in the picture.



At this rate I'll be at the 50 lbs mark at birth, no problem. I admit I AM eating. I'm not watching as closely as I usually do, but in the back of my mind this is my last pregnancy and I might as well live it up! That's not to say I'm eating ice cream everyday, but I do have a piece of chocolate daily.

Frogs, snails, puppy dog tails

The verdict is in. We're expecting a BOY! Yes, I was a bit in disbelief. I was so sure we were going to have a girl. I took an Internet pee test. (Ha!) I was sick with this one, not with Maddox. We had a name picked out. But we had firm confirmation on Friday that indeed there's a little boy in there. There are lots of pros to having another boy. We saved almost all of Mad's clothing, so we'll have plenty for the new baby. We won't need to worry about buying things in pink, or changing out any of the toys. So financially it's a good thing. On a more personal front, Maddox has been such a wonderful boy. Having another one will be a delight. Now, I'm not naive. I know the personalities will be different. But boys are great. Maddox will love to have a little brother.

I'm still wrapping my head around two boys. Since we're planning on this being the last child, there's no cute little dresses and tights in my future. But I did get Mad a rockin' out fit this weekend, so it makes up for it.

I'm due to post another belly pic and will post one soon, but in the mean time here's the latest ultrasound pic.

Countdown to bliss

I have a short fuse lately. Mostly because my hormones are out of whack. But little things are really bugging me. Like my coworker. Driving me nuts. And I can't even really write down why. The peeve is just so minute, but it's getting under my skin. I guess it's time for a vacation. And luckily I head to Michigan for a few days next week. Maddox and I are flying out on Wednesday, Sacha will follow a day later. I need it. And, I know, it's not like we're heading to the beach or to Paris. But seeing family and just not working for a few days will be nice.

I bought Maddox some new kid-friendly headphones for the flight and he's in love. He didn't want to take them off last night. He even tried to take them to bed. Which we promptly stopped. No need for a headphone cord to get wrapped around his neck in the middle of the night.

So it's basically 4 days until Michigan, 2 months until Italy, 5 months until baby. Lots of countdowns happening.

16 Weeks

As I get bigger, I am starting to feel little "gas bubbles" which I think may be Astro (our baby's nickname for now). Maddox is getting more into the baby inside my tummy idea. The other day he tried to lift my shirt at the bus stop to show the lady standing next to me. He's also laying his head on my belly and listening. He then pops up and says "I hear the baby!"

Week 14

Ok, I believe I'm now in my second trimester. Bump is growing. Food intake is growing. The baby is the size of a lemon and can now pee. Everything is on the right path.

The other exciting news is that we booked all our hotels in Italy. We will be in Rome for days at the Capo d Africa. Then we rent a car and drive to Montapulciano for four more days. We then travel to a bit more northern part of Tuscany to meet up with Sacha's family at a huge Villa. I cant' wait. The only issue I see is that I will be 6 months pregnant. I for see lots of sundresses in my future.

We are about a month away from finding out the sex of this little lemon inside. Maddox says he wants a baby sister. Let's see if his dream comes true.

Week 13

Since I've been so sick this pregnancy I haven't been into the whole "track my pregnancy" thing. But now all I have is headaches in the evenings. Not that it's fun. But I feel semi-normal for most of the day, which is progress. So now I decided to start the belly picture route. I took several with the first pregnancy, but really want to document every week from now until the end this time.

I also bought some maternity clothes this weekend. And it was 70 degrees out today.

The future is so bright.

And Baby Makes FOUR!

Here we go! We're on our way to becoming a family of four. A new bundle of baby is percolating inside and let me tell you, I've been feeling like meconium (other mom's know this term well). Now the books, websites and plethora of information available for pregnancy state that this baby is about the size of a kiwi. Little fingers starting to form. Fuzz on skin. Fingerprints. Even ears and a nose.

"The sickness", as I call it, was hard to explain. It's dizziness, nausea, headaches, tiredness and just all around B. L. A. H.

I hated it. I wanted to be excited for the new baby, but I just could't be. Everyone told me it would end and yes, they were right. But when you're in the thick of it that light at the end of the tunnel is very, very dim. Very, very small.

The worse is over and I think I'm out of the deep end. We got the first ultrasound, we had the genetic counseling, blood tests, buttons popping on pants. Oh yeah, what "they" fail to tell you is that when you've already had a baby your second and I assume third, fourth and fifth pregnancies (not!) start to show on your body a lot earlier then with your first. My ab muscles are already loose and limber and my pouch is pushing out. Nice. And I can't find my old maternity clothes. I'm literally holding my skinny jeans together today with a rubber band.

We will find out the gender at the first possible moment. Until then, I'm just anticipating whether we'll have pink or blue in our future.

Mom Style Monday

This week I'm featuring Alexis from My Mama Made It. She's very crafty with her sewing skills. Her clothing reminds me of Anthropologie clothing. Check out her site and her etsy shop where you can buy her creations.

Cheese and Bread

Just thought I'd tell everyone that I had a bagel with egg and cheese for breakfast, pizza for lunch and about to go to fondue tonight. Will I survive the cheese and bread day? Am I nuts? At least I fit in a Wii workout today. Although not too convinced that the Wii Fit is a true workout.

Mom Style Monday

I find there's so much more to mom jeans and pony tails. You don't need to give up fashion when you have a child. You already give up going out until closing time, going to the movies on a regular basis and sleeping in until noon. Fashion is all we have left!

Every Monday I'm going to feature a mom I see either online or on the street that I find stylish.

My first entry is Rebecca Woolf from Girl Gone Child. I have been following her blog for a couple years now and love her vintage-trendy style. She even does make-up tutorials.

Name: Rebecca Woolf
Hometown: LA
Children: Archer and Fable