Profashional

business in front, party in the back. a chicago working mom who used to be cool.

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6 months later

Is this thing on? I'm not really sure why I'm writing this post, other than its late, I've got two sleeping kids, my husband is out watching basketball, and as Baby Girl's halfway mark approaches this week, I'm keenly aware at how fast this is slipping by and how little I've documented. Of course, it's been a bit of a rough ride. I didn't torture myself over nursing this time, and I didn't have the jarring jolt of suddenly being thrust, whole self into motherhood. We've had different challenges this time around. I had a complication that required a surgery six weeks after. Baby Girl has MPSI (four long cheeseless months for me), and her very sensitive little tummy had night time sleep to be very scarce around these parts. Throw in a horrifying case of mastitis that required several procedures and rounds of antibiotics and you couldn't pay me to try nursing again. It's been a complete blur. I was sick for most of my leave and all of a sudden she was four months old and I was going back to work. Now she's almost six months old. Her little tummy has settled, she's sleeping at night, and she is the HAPPIEST baby I've ever seen. M was very curious and serious, studying everything around him while paying little mind to us grown ups. She is social, snuggly, and will do anything for a smile. Her brother adores her, she's annoyed by him, but they are starting to sort of play together which is really pretty awesome to watch.

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This sweet girl joined us on October 6, exactly one week late (despite being told at my 38 week appointment that I wouldn't make it through the weekend). Like her brother, when she finally came, it was fast and furious. Almost no time for an epidural. The past three weeks have been challenging yet so much easier than the first time around. Like her brother, A has a tongue tie and I'm exclusively pumping again. But this time, I'm so much more relaxed, so much calmer. I'm tired but I feel GOOD. If I'm being honest, how good I feel this time makes it very clear that I was dealing (or more accurately, refusing to acknowledge and deal with) some postpartum depression the first time. M has been so sweet with his sister. He says good morning to her, kisses her little head, runs to the rescue the second she loses her "sucky" (pacifier), and tries to share his trucks with her. It's amazing considering everything he's dealt with in the last six weeks - his nanny going on maternity leave, transitioning to a bed, me being home all the time, a new nanny, an ear infection, and a bad stomach virus, and a new sibling. He's been a real trooper. It's only been three weeks, but I already can barely remember life before this sweet girl.

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This is the best Polyvore I've ever seen. 🍕#allpizzaeverything

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I tried to buy a sports bra that fits my pregnant boobs at lunch but nothing available for purchase fits so I bought a brownie instead.

That is all.

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Life, lately

So things have been crazy and busy and messy and fun around here lately. Waddling after Max and nesting and work doesn’t leave much time for writing here, but I figure now is just as good a time as any for a brain dump.

- I spent 5 days in Madison and two weeks in Manhattan in the last six weeks.  Work travel can be a nice break (sleep in a bit! enjoy a leisurely dinner! no wrangling a toddler!) but man the long trips are hard now.  Especially when there isn’t even a proper glass of wine involved.

- Work is super busy.  The last 18 months have been really, really trying.  While on maternity leave with Max, I took a promotion that also came with a compensation structure change that basically equated to a major "earn your stripes” pay cut.  Add in cost of paying a nanny in a major city and I’ve basically been the gritted teeth emoji for the last year.  Plus, the added responsibilities, the added pressures, added business travel, opening a new office in a new state, learning business management stuff, having to care about financials, etc.  It’s been incredibly difficult to navigate being a new mom and a new role at the same time, all on less money and less sleep!  This quarter, it has FINALLY paid off, quite literally.  Time to treat mahself.

- My kid.  I think he is just the greatest thing going.  He’s sweet and funny and strong-willed, and about the happiest guy you’ll ever meet.  Unless he isn’t getting his way.  Then watch out.  I love watching him discover the joys of childhood - he had his first jump in a bouncy house over Memorial Day weekend and the sheer delight was too much.  

- Want to know a secret?  We know the sex of Baby 2!  It’s funny though, almost no one has asked if we know what we are having.  With Max, everyone asked.  I don’t know if people assume we didn’t find out this time, or if second babies are just significantly less exciting.  Probably both.  We aren’t openly sharing the baby’s sex, although a handful of close friends and our families know.

- I loved the surprise of learning Max was a boy at delivery.  But ultimately, we decided to find out for a few reasons.  Primarily because, after my miscarriage, I had a very difficult time bonding with this baby.  To the point where I wasn’t really acknowledging that I was pregnant.  We went back and forth about whether to find out, and I am glad we did.  Knowing that baby is a son/daughter has helped a lot in feeling a connection.  

- I am in a really aggressive phase of nesting right now.   If you are pregnant, I do not recommend reading Marie Kondo’s book.  I literally got rid of half of my clothes.  I hope I don’t regret this when I can get back into my clothes.

- I’ve been into essential oils for awhile now.  If you are as well, six drops of lavender + one drop cedarwood in a diffuser at night is the hippie equivalent of roofies.

- This salad is everything.  No bacon though.  It’s unnecessary.  

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It was a much needed weekend. After two weeks in NYC for work and a lot of associated craziness, it was nice to slow down and soak up the perfect weather and these last few months of solo time with my little buddy.

Oh, and my big buddy and I celebrated (a little early) 8 (8!) years of marriage with a fun dinner out at Roister. We also need to maximize our final days of free babysitting, as M has a little cousin coming soon and we will be owing my brother and sister in law LOTS of nights out.

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After a successful 20 week ultrasound, we are finally feeling comfortable to share the happy news - Baby #2 arrives this September! Max is begrudgingly reading up on big brother things and preparing for the swift, hard fall from his pedestal. The prospect of 2 under 2 is exciting and terrifying all at once. Here we go!

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What good are mommy blogs if no one has a post on how to get crushed, smeared fruit drops out of a rug?

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business email glossary

thanks in advance: get this done by the time i press "send"

thanks for your interest: why'd you have to bring this up

would you be so kind: fucking do it

best: i have never physically met you

all best: this conversation is over

all my best: i wish you would die

happy to help: this is the easiest thing in my inbox

i hope this helps: i've done all i'm willing to do

i did a bit of research: i googled it, because you're too lazy to

sorry to chase: answer my email

so sorry to chase: answer my FUCKING email

i am really sorry for being a pest but: i am LIVID that you are ignoring me

please contact my colleague: this isn't my problem

i'm copying in my colleague: this isn't my problem and i am thrilled about it

i'll check and get back to you: i might forget to

i'll let you know when i hear anything: i will forget to

can you check back with me in a week?: i'm hoping you will forget to

per our earlier conversation: i just yelled at you on the phone

great to chat just now: you just yelled at me on the phone

thanks!: i'm not mad at you

thanks!!: please don't be mad at me

thanks!!!: i'm crying at my desk

please advise: this might be your fault

kindly advise: this is entirely your fault

mind if i swing by?: i'm already in the elevator

can you confirm for me: you told me before and i deleted the email

sorry if that was unclear: i think you're an idiot

let me know if you need anything else: please never contact me again

When I use "Regards," as my sign off, I basically mean "Go fuck yourself."

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Sometimes you are late for the Easter egg hunt because you didn't plan enough time for errands and then your toddler spills his ONE egg of candy and you let him pick it out of the dirt because, well, you feel bad that you were late. Unrelated, I accidentally sucker punched him today when my hand slipped while trying to adjust the chest clip on his car seat. Where do I submit my application for mother of the year?

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Today was the kind of air travel day that makes me understand how Donald Trump can be a Presidential front runner.

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Onward.

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60 degrees in February. How about that? Mike was on full time dad duty this week as I had a big deadline Friday that kept me at the office late every night. So Saturday, Little M and I ran a full morning's worth of errands to give Mike a break. He held the grocery list, stared at the Mariano's ceiling fans, "drove" his car cart, held onto the pint of half and half for dear life, and greeted everyone with a wave and an awkward toddler slightly too loud and enthusiastic HIIIIII! A long walk and stop to swing at the park, though the slide was a bigger hit. Nap time naps for everyone, an episode of Fuller House (there's 30 minutes of my life I won't have back), a ridiculous amount of sushi from Yuzu with a fire in the fireplace and crime documentaries on the TV. This morning we hit the pancake house early and headed for the zoo. Watching my little guy explore, interact with new people, and experience things (like the above carousel ride) for the first time is really something. More nap time naps for everyone, zoodles for dinner, homemade chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven and the Oscars. There is something so wonderful about the simple things.

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Let Us Celebrate "Back That Azz Up," The Most Important Song In Music History

On this day, 16 years ago, our lives were forever changed.

“If you can listen to this song and not jump out of your seat, or at least chair twerk, check your pulse because you might be dead.”

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Family room inspiration.

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My sweet big boy (not a baby).

My son picked up his current favorite book (Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?), waddled over to where I was sitting on the floor, handed it to me, said “Up!” and crawled onto my lap.

We read it 8 times as he turned the pages and my heart exploded into a million little pieces.

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Life, lately.

(via The Honest Toddler)