And then there were three...

Ronin Anthony.
Made his debut into this world on September 19th, 2014 at 18:25.
He weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 17.5" long (I suspect this to not be correct, as he's 18.75" now - at 2 weeks).

I'll type up his birth story when I can - this is a placeholder for now.

Hello *wipes away cobwebs*

Anybody still here? *crickets*

Well I guess it's time for an update, since the last one was about 7 months ago... in December.  Yeah life got in the way.  I'm working full-time, I was doing school (didn't do so hot at that so it's on the back burner for now), juggling the house/relationship with A/running around after the two kids... but it's been all worth it :)

So I guess you'll want to know what's going on with the kids' lives. Right?

Lennon as one of her alter-egos, Grandma Riddle.

Lennon's been in pre-pre-kindergarten (redundant, I know) at a really great school my Grandpa found for her.  She loves it, I love it, her teachers are great.  We recently got an email that she's being bumped up to actual pre-kindergarten on August 4th... then after a year of that KINDERGARTEN!!!!  I'm totally not ready for her to go to public school, if it were possible I'd actually homeschool her.  She's about 42" tall and 38ish pounds (only 13 pounds heavier than Maddox !!).  When she's not at school she's either playing with her princess dolls and castle, or with Daddy and her Lego Movie legos.  She'll play with Maddox more now that he can actually interact with her toys, but I think she mostly does it because we ask her to.  She loves Frozen, The Lego Movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (if you ask her, Raphael is her favorite), cuddles, watermelon, and new clothes.

Hanging out in the rocking chairs at Cracker Barrel

Maddox is 9 months old now - and about the size of a small 2 year old.  No joke, the kid is in 2T size clothes now... I seriously missed out on the baby stage with this one.  He's going to be playing football by the time he turns 2, defensive line.  At his appointment last week he was 24 pounds and 30" long with a 19" head.  So he's big and full of brains.  He's crawling EVERYWHERE and pulling himself up onto everything.  We can't have him completely mobile in the living room so he runs amuck in his walker, which is fine b/c then he can't turn the Xbox on and off about a million and a half times.  He's decided that naps are lame and staying up until 8-9pm being a complete crabby patty is the bees knees.  We did baby-led solids, which is working out great since I don't have to feed him THEN myself (totally selfish, but the kid hated purees anyway) or the rest of the family.  So far he's had : steak, pot roast, green beans, potatoes, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, lima beans, watermelon, chicken, taco meat, cheese, Cheerios, yogurt, popsicles, fudgesicles, turkey sandwich, cheese quesadilla, muffins, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a ton of other foods he's sampled off my plate.

And the last update I'll leave y'all with...

I'm pregnant... again.  Hush hush, yeah it was totally unexpected - considering I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 21 weeks along, thanks body - but it's welcome.  We've had time to adjust to the fact that we are adding another baby, another baby BOY in fact, to the circus.  I'm due at the end of September, and won't be releasing baby's name until then, so for now he shall be referred to as baby Tres :)

I'm completely miserable, have the WORST acid reflux I've had out of all 3 pregnancies, and I think this one just had a growth spurt b/c food is now a mortal enemy due to lack of room I've got going on.

But that's it for now, though I'd update all 6 of you who follow me on my life currently.

Birthday Survey - 4 Years Old

So last year I did a survey on Lennon of her favorite things when she turned 3.  I aim to keep this up until she's 18... if she's even talking to me in her teenage years.  I know I'm a bit behind on this years survey (gimme a break, I had an 8 day old by the time her 4th birthday rolled through)... but here you go...

1. What is your favorite color? Pink and Purple

2. What is your favorite toy? My Ariel Doll
3. What is your favorite fruit? Oranges
4. What is your favorite show? Jessie
5. What is your favorite thing to wear? Dresses
6. What is your favorite animal? Bunny
7. What is your favorite song? "For The First Time in Forever" from Frozen Soundtrack
8. What is your favorite book? How To Be A Baby by Me Your Big Sister
9. Who is your best friend? Daddy
10. What is your favorite cereal? Raisin Bran & Cheerios
11. What is your favorite drink? Pink Milk
12. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
13. What do you like to have in bed with you at night? Puppy
14. What is your favorite movie? Frozen
15. What do you want to be when you grow up? Anna from Frozen

Mall Santa

So today my grandparents and I took the kidlets to the mall this morning to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus.  I was expecting the worst... Lennon was going to get jam-hands/dirty her dress up before we got to the front of the line; MJ was going to scream is fool head off; the line was going to take ages and neither of them would be down for Santa time by the time we got to see him.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  We were in line maybe a total of 10 minutes, Lennon made friends with the siblings that were in front of us, and MJ was all smiles the duration of our wait.

Then we got to Santa.  Lennon was shy, and MJ promptly shit himself as soon as he was sat on Santa's lap.  Love my kids <3

Two Months!

As of last Friday, you are two months old.  At two months old you are rocking 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 month clothes.  You've upgraded to size 3 diapers, and you eat 4 oz of formula every 2-4 hours (sometimes more if you're going through a growth spurt).  At your well-visit on Monday you were measuring 24 inches long, 13 pounds 6 ounces, and had a head circumference of 16 inches!  You're officially as big as your big sister was at 4 months old!

What you're loving at the moment...
1. Fart noises
2. Going outside
3. When Daddy tickles you
4. The "Don't Worry, Be Happy" song
5. Walking around the house with Mommy or Daddy
6. Snuggling with Mommy
7. Christmas lights

What you're not digging lately...
1. Your sister
2. Being cold
3. When you can't figure out how to suck your thumb
4. Daddy's sneezes
5. Sudden, loud noises (see above ;) )
6. Your car seat

Me, Myself, and I

Low self-esteem, I have it.  I've pretty much almost always had it.  It's a terrible demon that eats away at me, telling myself that I'm not good enough, I don't look pretty enough, I'm not thin enough, I'm not this... I'm not that.  It's horrible.  I wish I didn't suffer from it, it eats away at me sometimes.  Last night it came to a head and I finally told Adrian how much it bothers me that I feel this way.  He's noticed how down I am on myself.  Years of being made fun of, and dating the wrong people who put me down constantly will do that to a person.  After quite a few tears and an hour long conversation between the two of us, he's started to make me write down 3 things I like about myself - either personality wise or physically - to build myself back up.  They aren't allowed to be the same things either, so I've taken to tracking it in my phone so I don't double up.

The first three things I listed were as follows...

1. My eyes (they are hazel, but change different shades of green depending on what I'm wearing, what color my hair is, or how hard I might have been crying)

2. My sense of humor (I almost always can make people laugh around me.  I especially like making my mom laugh when she's having a crappy day, whether I mean to or not.)

3. My legs (they are long and I love 'em)

MJ's Wish List

Christmas is just a month (!!!!) away... and usually I've started buying presents for Lennon by this point... but since I had Brother 6 weeks ago, present buying has fallen to the wayside.  That and I have NO CLUE what to buy a hatchling for his first Christmas (you'd think I'd know, since his big sister was about the same age he will be on his First Christmas).  So I finally compiled a short list of things I'd know he'd love to have (and maybe a few me and A would like for him to have as well).

1. Wooden Guitar Teether [$12.00]

2. Vans Checkerboard Crib Shoes [$22.00]
3. Baby Einstein Take-A-Long-Tunes [$8.00]

4. Cloud B Gentle Giraffe Soother [$30.00]

One Month!

You are one month old (as of Wednesday).  I can't believe it's already been that long since you made your grand debut into this crazy crazy world.  Daddy and I love you oh so much, even if you act like you barely tolerate either of us from time to time.

Here are some of your favorite things at the moment...
1. Sleeping on Mommy's chest
2. Watching the ceiling fan
3. Listening to the soundtrack to Assassin's Creed : Black Flag
4. Bathtime
5. Having your pants (and diaper) off
6. Your Wubbanub

And here are some of your least favorite things...
1. When the bottle can't connect with your mouth fast enough
2. When your pacifier falls out of your mouth
3. Having a dirty diaper
4. Being too hot
5. Being too cold
6. When bathtime is over
7. Daddy (this is what he says, I don't see it)

You are 11 pounds and 1 ounce, measure at 22.75 inches, and have a head circumference totaling 15.5 inches.  All in all you are a big, healthy boy.

He's here!!!!

Well... he got here Sunday, October 13th... it just took me this long to get around to posting my birth story online.  Who would have thought that chasing around a 4 year old while simultaneously breastfeeding a newborn would be such hard work?! (That sentence is DRIPPING with sarcasm by the way).

So on to the story, and at the end I'll post pictures for reading the novel ;)


On Sunday, the 13th of October, I went it work and felt off all morning; my stomach hurt and my back was killing me.  As soon as my co-worker came in to close I left to head home.  Around 230 I ate lunch, then went to unlock the front doors so my grandparents could come in and drop off Lennon.  I went to sit on the couch and sat weird on my foot, I heard a faint pop and then a rush of warm fluid hit me.  I jumped up just in time to avoid breaking my water on the couch and ran straight to the bathroom,  just as my grandparents showed up with Lennon.  Adrian met them at the door to tell them my water broke and that Leni had to go back with them since I was in labor ☺.  We said hi and bye to Leni and then headed to the hospital (after I changed out of my soaking wet jeans).

By 315 I was in a triage room and checked, 4cm and 90% effaced.  By 345 I was in my own delivery room and getting IV fluids.  At 430 I was at 5cm and still 90% and got my epidural... Which was amazing by the way.  Dad and Adrian kept making me laugh to keep my contractions going... Which surprisingly worked! At 630 I was checked again and was at 7cm so they turned up my pit (epidurals make my progress very slow).  By 800 I was at 9cm and 100%, and my epidural had worn off (Adrian says that he saw me accidentally tear it out of my back, when I was rotating from side to side).  At 850 I paged my OB and told her I had to push, now!  She checked me and I was at 10cm, 100%, and +2 station.
 
They quickly set up the room and got me into position to push.   I felt every-damn-thing as I pushed.  My OB stretched me with every push, I think she was using mineral oil.  I got to feel the top of his head as he was crowning, which made me even more determined to push him out faster.  15 minutes later, at 906 Mister Maddox James Dillie made his grand debut into the world weighing in at 9.8 pounds and 20" long.  I am still in shock I gave birth to an over 9 pound baby!

And onto the pics...

Baby Air Guitar

Squinty Eyes!

What's in my diaper bag?

Now for the "What's In My Diaper Bag?" - Hospital Edition.  I have packed and repacked this bag about 100 times before I was finally satisfied with how it ended up.  I have the Skip Hop Grand Central Bag, I got it at Target back in April when it was on super duper clearance for $65 (I think), now it's back up to $90.  I wanted something that could double as a purse, without looking like a diaper bag.  First I'll break it down by compartments and sections, then by what's actually in the bag.

Currently I have nothing in here, but will end up adding tissue/booger wipes and hand sanitizer for the fall.

1. Gerber diapers (2) - to use for spit-up and all the other fun gunk that babies create.

2. Huggies diapers container

3. Outfits and socks (3) - see below for bigger picture

4. Receiving blankets (2) & Wubbanub Pacifier

5. Pacifier Wipes

6. Comb, Butt Cream, Pacifiers

7. Large Knit Receiving blanket

1. Carter's Little Man Outfit (0-3 Months; I picked this one)

2. Carter's Raccoon Sleeper (0-3 Months; Lennon picked this out)

3. Skull & Crossbones Onesie and Sweatpants from Target (Newborn; Daddy picked this one)

And socks of course... which HOLY HELL it took me almost the past 2 months to find some plain jane white socks for little boys.  Good grief.

Now since this is the hospital bag, I left out diapers.  I plan on stockpiling those babies when we leave the hospital when Maddox is born.  That and all the wipes, blankets, and booger suckers I can manage to stuff in this bag ;)

So what's in a bag?

Earlier this month I started my journey on Pinterest on what to pack in my hospital bag.  I know this is my 2nd pregnancy, but I barely remember what I packed in my bag with Lennon... probably because I packed it right after my water broke.  I do know I barely packed anything for ME!  And I'm important too god dammit... just not as cute as a new born babe.

So after searching, pinning, making my own lists, I finally decided what would be important on the big day.  Another big deciding factor was I found out that unless I have major complications (or an unplanned c-section), we'd only be in the hospital 24 hours after delivery.

Below is what I finally decided to pack in my hot pink VS bag.

1. Beauty Supplies (listed below)

2. 2 pairs of comfy socks

3. Grey sweat pants and black leggings

4. Make-Up bag (listed below)

5. 2 nursing tank tops

6. 3 pairs of panties I don't mind ruining

7. Breastfeeding Supplies

{Beauty Supplies}

Toothbrush//Shampoo & Conditioner//Deoderant//Body Lotion//Face Lotion//Gum//Body Wash//Toothpaste//Bobby Pins

(Not Pictured : Brush, Comb, Headband, Straightener)

{Make-Up Bag}

Tinted Lotion//Powder//Concealer//Blush//Luminizer//Blotting Paper//Eye shadow//Eyebrow Pencil//Eye Liner//2 Mascaras//Lipstick//Lip gloss

(Hey, Mommy's gotta look good for all the photo ops!)

{Nursing Essentials}

(4 Breast Pads//Lanolin//Nipple shield)

So that's all that's in my bag!  I plan on putting some snacks in there for Adrian and myself while I'm laboring (and for afterwards) and maybe my nursing pillow.  As well as a lightweight hoody and a button up flannel to wear home, OH and flip-flops!  I'm also going to be bringing my own pads, I don't know about you but I don't feel like I grew 4" while sitting from the huge ass hospital pads.  Also I'm nixing the oh-so-sexy mesh panties *rawr*

What's been going on around here lately...

So I've totally been neglecting this blog, it's hard to sit up anymore, and especially when I'm at home the laptop is at our dining room table and the chairs give me swamp ass in the summer... hot I know.

So I'm just nearing 36 weeks, and I've only had one trip to L&D this pregnancy.  On Wednesday I lost my mucous plug (and thought my waters were leaking) so I went in to get shit checked out.  I felt like a FTM all over again, we were there for maybe an hour and then was sent home.

I don't know what really to talk about - currently having some pretty strong (but irregular) contractions so here is a photo dump!

Rockin' Momma's sweet spectacles

Little Man's 3D ultrasound @ 33 weeks

Check out his chubby cheeks and little lips <3

Teaching young Grasshopper the way of the Pokemon

34 weeks, just about. 

Hossy bracelet from Wednesday.

Still contracting, and they are still irregular but getting a bit stronger.

Baby Shower : Little Man Edition

So for the record, my baby sister - Sabrina - rocks.  She planned and organized the whole thing and it kicked ass.  I had no clue what the theme was going to be, nothing really at all.  She kept the whole thing a secret and I was very pleasantly surprised.  I got NO pics of me - I was 27 weeks and hella sweaty/bloaty/gross feeling - so here's what I do have (which I snagged from my Dad's girlfriend Donna).

27 Weeks & Survey

Due Date: October 17th, 2013 

Weight Gain: So far, 15 pounds.

Symptoms: Uncomfortable, tired, anemic.

What's different this time: Everything is different this pregnancy than with Lennon's.

Cravings: Hamburgers, Slurpees, Fruit
Aversions: Nothing really anymore 

Sleep: Horrible as of lately.  The anemia is making me exhausted all day long.

I am loving: That Adrian put the crib together the other night so it would be up in our room before I got home.

I miss: being able to bend over.

I am looking forward to: my (first of two) baby shower tomorrow!

I'm spazzing about: nothing right now.

Best thing about this week: my baby shower tomorrow.  I have no clue what the theme is or anything, my baby sister is hosting it.

Milestones: finally hitting the 3rd trimester!

Movement:  He's still practicing his martial arts.

It's a...: Boy!

Exercise: Not much really.

Diet: Trying to eat more foods with iron in it, since I'm anemic.
Other goals: Cleaning out the bedroom closet and front closet to make room for baby gear.

Mama Confessions...

I got this prompt from my lovely momma friend - and fellow momma blogger - Holly (@ Our Holly Days) and decided to follow suit.

So Mama Confessions, every mom has one (or two, or three, or more)... I know for a fact that my mom has some as well.  So what are mine?

1. I use bribes.  I bribe to not have accidents (Lennon's been having more since Adrian's daughter is staying with us this summer, change is not good to her).  I bribe to listen to her gymnastics teacher.  Marshmallows are her favorite treat lately, so that's what I've been using.
2. I'll sneak their special treats for myself.  Whether that be fruit snacks, chocolate milk (my ultimate kryptonite), or bomb pops... I'll sneak one (or two) when they've gone to bed.
3. I secretly love it when Lennon tells me I'm the prettiest and that she is pretty just like me.  Especially lately, I'm getting bigger and more miserable feeling this pregnancy.  It's nice to hear your mini-me tell you that you are the prettiest girl ever <3

What's in a name?

Originally I wasn't going to plan on announcing Little Man's name here until his birth, but I am impatient... plus I announced it on Facebook earlier today (again, I didn't want either Adrian or I to announce it until his grand debut into this world) so the cat's already out of the bag.  It took us a LONG time to settle on a boy name that we both agreed with, it was easy to come up with a girl name that we both liked... but not this little dude.

So we are pleased to announce that his name is going to be...

Maddox means "good, generous".  His full name is going to be Maddox James D----- (I'm withholding Adrian's last name for protective measures).  James is for my father, grampy, and great-grandfather :)  I have two little rock stars now - Lennon and Maddox (I'm not sure if Maddox is a rock star's real name - first or last - but it sure sounds like it to me).


*Also I won this puzzle following the lovely Miss Holly over at Our Holly Days.  I had been waiting until we had chosen a name to order it, and I'm very impressed with how awesome of a name puzzle it is*

Little Man's Dream Wish List

If I had disposable income (which I don't, nor know anybody who really does) I'd be splurging on all these baby items for Little Man (and for myself)...

1. Cardi & Bow Tie Onesie

Seriously, I could see myself dressing up Little Man in this outfit and going to town on the photo shoots I have created in my mind since spotting this darling combo on etsy.  Mustache stickers on newborn's anybody? Or is that just me that's ob-freaking-sessed with them.

2. Solly Baby Stripe Wrap

One of the uber stylish new momma's I have been following (or stalking) on Instagram was rocking one of these in her pics and I love the light grey stripes... definitely not as garish as my bright green Sleepy Wrap that I'm re-using for the little dude.

3. 4mom's Mamaroo

This thing is just hella awesome.  You can plug your iPhone/iPod into it and the thing while sway along with the music.  If you don't have an iPhone or iPod (like myself) there are 5 different settings on it.  I'd see myself using the "car" motion the most.  It looks super comfy and doesn't take up as much space as traditional swings... and I wouldn't need a vibrating baby seat either? Sign me up! (Also there are rumors flying around in my family that my mom is going to get this for me for Little Man, but until I see it, it's staying a rumor).

4. Indestructibles Books

These books are seriously awesome.  When Lennon was around 8 months old I bought her one of these - I think it was about bugs - because she couldn't rip the pages like she did her other paperback books (yes I know they make board books so babies can't destroy them, but these are AMAZING!) AND AND AND you can wash them!  Which is a massive plus for a germophobe like me ;)

5. Trumpette 'Johnny' Socks

How sweet are these little socks that look like high-tops?!  I'm a sucker for cute socks, not so much for shoes for little babes, but these combine both!  So adorable.  Especially the black ones, then Little Man can match his Daddy :)

Guess what baby D is...

Well I'm not exactly giving you a chance to guess (and I'm sure most of you already know since you are most likely friends with me on Facebook) since I'm going to be posting a pic of it now but here you go...

Pregnancy SUCKS!

Seriously, it does.  Anybody who says it's fantastic and you'll glow and it's the best thing ever... is lying.  This is my second pregnancy, and I swear it's worse this time than it was with Lennon.  I'm irritable, my back hurts, my hips hurt, my shoulders hurt, my boobs hurt, my FEET hurt (wtf) on top of the nausea I still have at almost 17 weeks (tomorrow) and heartburn/indigestion combo that haunts me nightly whenever I lay down (and propping up on pillows does NOT help).  Yes I love feeling the baby move and growing bigger due to the baby being healthy and growing, but everything else is horrible.

Last week when I couldn't sleep, I saw that "What To Expect When You're Expecting" was on Netflix, so I thought I'd give it a shot.  I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed until I cried when Wendy was going to talk about how great pregnancy was, and then told the truth about how much it sucks.  LOVED that part!

I'm sure some women have awesome pregnancies, and kudos to them, I'm not one of them.  I'm in my 2nd trimester bitch mode, and everybody needs to watch out! Well, everybody I work with at least, and people out in the general public, my family is safe from my bitchiness at the moment.

About my haitus

So I haven't blogged much since December, when we had the blighted ovum and D&C situation going on, so I wanted to update.

After Christmas, Adrian and I moved in together with Lennon.  We live in a small two-bedroom apartment not far from where I'm currently working, which is great since we share my car at the moment.  They drop me off and pick me up from work, it works for us for now.

In February, the day before Adrian's 28th birthday, we found out we were expecting again.  I had been feeling nauseous and exhausted and had sore boobs from the end of January/beginning of February but chalked them up to finally getting my period after the D&C.  Two pregnancy tests later confirmed that I was in fact pregnant.  I was shocked, as was Adrian, but we were happy and accepted this welcome change in our lives.

I'm due in October, either the 17th or the 21st (Lennon's birthday) depending on which doctor at my OB office you talk to.  That makes me 16 weeks 5 days or 16 weeks 1 day right now.  I'm still nauseous, still exhausted (what happened to the energy you're supposed to get in the second trimester, huh?!) and in 16 days we will find out if we're having a boy or a girl.